Call her a "Wheeling resident," a "California transplant" or a "political newcomer," but Republican congressional candidate Cindy Hall isn't a "hockey mom."

She is, however, seeking to put a check on U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va.

Hall, 67, plays hockey - a love she discovered after moving to Wheeling in 2007. She has also filed as a Republican to run in 2010 for West Virginia's 1st District congressional seat currently held by Mollohan, a 14-term incumbent.

Hall believes 2010 could be a good year for Republicans.

"I think there is going to be a complete switch," she said. "That is my feeling at this moment - but it's not something we could do easily."

Not being a native Mountaineer could be a problem, Hall acknowledges.

"People have told me West Virginia is different from California," she said. "People have lived here all their lives. ... In California, you move every two years. Here, you don't move at all.

"If West Virginians see somebody from the outside, they're suspicious. But I hope people think I moved here because I love it," she said.

"I'm a hard worker, and I have a reasonable outlook," Hall noted. "I can rationalize certain things. I understand the general consensus of how people feel - their religious background and how it ties in to their political feeling."

The Los Angeles-area real estate agent took notice in 2006 when her daughter - a marketing executive who worked from home - wanted to relocate to a "less congestive" part of the country. The daughter typed her wants for a new locale into a computer, and up popped "Wheeling, W.Va.," among other cities. She chose Wheeling.

Over the next year, Hall visited many times. In the end, she moved in next door.

"I fell in love with Wheeling," she said. "I became enamored with the Capitol, the gorgeous old buildings and the river. But since I didn't know anyone ... I had to look for things to do."

The first thing Hall did was start a Web site, wheelingwv.us, to list the amenities she learned of in her new town. One of the them was the Wheeling Nailers.

"I had never been a hockey fan before I came to Wheeling, but I did get hooked," she said. "I have enjoyed it immensely - so much so that I took hockey lessons. I learned to play hockey, and I am doing it now. We skate out of southern area of Pittsburgh."

Hall said she also had expressed interest in purchasing the Capitol Music Hall - until she learned of the cost of needed renovations there. She also came to be a fan of the Wheeling Jamboree, of country music and of wanting to improve the community.

She decided she wanted to get into politics in Wheeling but noticed there wasn't much opportunity to seek county or city office.

Hall contacted West Virginia Republican Party chairman Douglas McKinney and asked how she might get involved. McKinney suggested a congressional run.

"As time passed, I became more interested," Hall said. "I registered my name, and I am semi-officially on the roster."

In the past, Hall has been an airplane pilot. an owner of an aviation company, a race car driver, and a polo-playing horsewoman.

For now, she is concentrating on her campaign.

"Wheeling particularly needs business downtown," Hall said. "I'm going to be working hard on this, and it's going to be quite a challenge. If it all comes together, I think I have a chance."