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This article originally provided by
The Williamson Daily News
May 7, 2006
Phil Kabler
Legislative races rake in $3.2 million as primary
draws near
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Legislative candidates had amassed more than $3.2
million and spent just over half that heading into Tuesday's primary election,
their latest reports to Secretary of State Betty Ireland show.
More than $690,000 of the receipts counted during the filing period ending April
21 were loans from candidates to their own campaigns.
The priciest contest is in Raleigh County, where three Democrats seek to
challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Russ Weeks. Greyhound breeder Mike Green
amassed nearly $200,000, lending himself $164,000 of the total, and had $10,619
left. Delegate Sally Susman had spent $120,378 after raising $134,575 mostly
through loans and contributions from herself. Lawyer Bill Wooton, whom Weeks
defeated for the seat in 2002, had raised $98,218 and spent $76,313.
The most expensive House race is in Ohio County, where three Democrats and as
many Republicans have together raised more than $60,000 and spent more than
$30,000 for each of the 3rd District's two seats.
Incumbent Delegate Gil White had raised the most among the 3rd's GOP candidates,
$31,091, while state GOP Treasurer Scott Reed has spent the most, $6,377. Among
the Democrats, Orphy Klempa has raised $40,674 and spent $31,397. A preprimary
report from Democrat Tal Hutchins, a former House member, had not been posted by
the Secretary of State's office as of Friday.
Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, continues to lead the more than 280 legislative
candidates this year in fund raising. A developer, McCabe had collected $138,739
while spending $18,795. His primary challenger, South Charleston lawyer Thornton
Cooper, had amassed $11,779, mostly from personal funds and spent $5,355. The
nominee will face former Delegate Ann Calvert, who has no GOP primary opponent.
She raised $3,852 and spent $1,009.
Democrat Alex Shook of Monongalia County has raised the most among House
candidates, more than $41,000, as he runs in the four-seat 44th District. Cabell
County Democrat Doug Reynolds, meanwhile, had spent the most, $36,987. Reynolds
seeks one of three seats in the 16th District.
State Farm has had perhaps the most generous political action committee this
year, giving at least $23,500 to more than 50 candidates. Most recipients were
incumbents, of both parties. Lawmakers last year outlawed a particular kind of
lawsuit targeting insurers and made other changes to insurance laws sought by
the industry.
The Bankers' PAC, meanwhile, has given at least $21,000 to more than 50
candidates. Other major PAC donors include those for Coca-Coal and the state's
trial lawyers association, which each gave to more than 25 candidates.
Summersville businessman William T. Bright has been among the more prolific
individual donors, spreading out more than $7,000 among at least 26 candidates.
John Raese, the Morgantown multimillionaire and U.S. Senate GOP candidate, has
given at least $5,000 to 15 campaigns.
Vowing to influence this year's legislative elections, Don Blankenship is
expected to throw serious money into general election campaigns in the summer
and fall. The Massey Energy Co. chairman, president and CEO has already given
$1,000 each to five candidates.
The benefactors, all Republicans, are: Senate candidates Mark Plants and Ann
Calvert of Kanawha County and Jerry Mays of Berkeley County; and House
candidates Brian Louk of Monongalia County and Troy Andes of Putnam County.
Several members of Blankenship's family also gave to Andes, as did Blankenship
aide and GOP political operative Greg Thomas.
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