|
|
This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette July 19, 2006 In-state donors aid Capito, Callaghan By Paul J. Nyden As the general election campaign begins to heat up, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and her opponent, Mike Callaghan, both filed their latest financial reports, which were released by the Federal Elections Commission on Monday. Capito, running for her fourth term in Congress, reported she has nearly $1.1 million in cash on hand in her FEC filing for the period ending June 30. Capito was unopposed in the Republican primary. Callaghan, a lawyer who headed the state Department of Environmental Protection and who previously worked for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Charleston, is Capito’s Democratic opponent. Callaghan reported $25,913 in cash on hand. Since Callaghan also reported unpaid campaign loans of $50,000, his campaign was actually more than $24,000 in debt. Callaghan won a vigorously contested three-way Democratic primary in May. Capito also reported raising $1.38 million during the current 2005-06 election cycle. Callaghan reported raising $177,296 in campaign contributions. Capito’s campaign might see its biggest day of fundraising on July 26, when President George W. Bush is scheduled to attend a private Charleston fundraiser at the home of Drew and Mary Payne. The Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit and non-partisan foundation based in Washington, D.C., analyzes all Senate and House races in the nation. According to the center’s analysis of contribution information and data filed for the period ending on April 19, both candidates raised most of their money from in-state contributors. Capito raised 83 percent of her money from West Virginia contributors, while Callaghan raised 94 percent of his donations from Mountain State residents. Campaign contributors include both individual donors and political action committees. Individuals can donate up to $4,200 for the general and primary election cycle, according to FEC regulations. A business, labor or ideological PAC can donate up to $10,000 during any election cycle, including the primary and general elections, to a congressional candidate. As of June 30, individuals accounted for 68 percent of all the money Capito received, according to Joe Jarabek, her campaign manager. In an analysis of donations made before the end of the previous FEC reporting period on March 30, the Center for Responsive Politics found the top five sources of Capito’s funds were: The center found Callaghan’s top five sources were: U.S. Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, D-W.Va., ended the period with the largest war chest, $1.27 million, among the state’s congressional candidates. He raised $117,290 and spent about the same amount. Cabell County Sheriff Kim Wolfe, his GOP challenger, had $6,601 left after raising $5,806 and spending $4,507. Flush with campaign cash, Rahall spread $23,000 among 40 legislative candidates in his district and $5,000 among nine U.S. House candidates. He gave another $75,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. His major contributors include labor unions and the transportation, coal and road building industries. The Center for Responsive Politics’ data and analyses are available, at no cost, at www.opense crets.org. Individuals also have access to FEC election reports, at no cost, at www.fec.gov. The Associated Press contributed to this report. To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.
|
|
Voter-Owned Elections |
|
Citizens for Clean Elections P.O. Box 6753 Huntington, WV 25773-6753 304-522-0246 |