This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

July 19, 2006

Mollohan, Wakim report contributions

By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer

Funds are pouring in for the race between Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va., and his Republican challenger Chris Wakim, a race that has received national attention.

Wakim reported $420,886 in “total receipts” by June 30. He raised $230,088 of that total and reported $318,307 in “cash on hand.”

More than 56 percent of Wakim’s contributions during the election cycle between April 20 and June 30 came from either political committees headed by elected Republicans or from conservative ideological groups.

Mollohan reported raising $943,298 by June 30. Mollohan received $329,157 during the latest reporting period and had $674,594 in “cash on hand.”

Both candidates filed campaign reports with the Federal Elections Commission. They are posted on the agency’s Web site: www.fec.gov.

The Center for Public Integrity analyzed contributions to both candidates through the end of the previous reporting period that ended on April 19.

The center’s research found Mollohan’s top sources for funds were contributions from: computer and Internet companies, $70,350; construction services, $36,400; defense electronics, $34,300; lobbyists, $29,550; and candidate committees, $23,500.

Wakim’s top sources were: Republican Party political action committees, $18,000; lawyers, $8,150; health professionals, $7,375; retired individuals, $6,900; and home builders, $5,000.

During the most recent reporting period, Wakim received nearly $130,000 from various political and ideological groups. Groups that gave $10,000, and their leaders, were:

  • Keep Our Majority PAC, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
  • Growth and Prosperity PAC, Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala.
  • Majority Initiative to Keep Electing Republicans Fund, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
  • People for Enterprise Trade and Economic Growth, Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas.
  • Prosperity Helps Inspire Liberty (PHILPAC), Rep. Phil English, R-Pa.
  • Rely on Your Beliefs Fund, Rep. Boy Blunt, R-Mo.

    The Committee for the Preservation of Capitalism also gave $10,000. This committee is heavily funded by business interests involved in insurance, health-care, oil, gas, banking, utilities, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, railroads, auto manufacturing, airlines and Wal-Mart.

    The Freedom Project, run by House Majority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, gave $9,500, while the Conservative Opportunity and Leadership PAC, run by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., gave $6,000.

    Several other groups gave Wakim between $500 and $5,000, including Straight Talk America, run by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito’s campaign committee gave Wakim $2,000.

    Wakim also received contributions from various business owners, including $15,000 from two associations of home builders and $2,000 from Newmont Mining.

    State Sen. Ron Walters, R-Kanawha, gave Wakim $1,000, while lobbyist Larry Swann gave him $700.

    Mollohan raised $329,157 during the reporting period between April 20 and June 30.

    Many West Virginia business leaders donated to Mollohan, including top officers of Consol Energy, Waco Oil & Gas, Anvil Oil & Gas, North Central Wine Distributors and the Mountaineer Gaming Resort in Chester.

    Mollohan’s contributions from other political figures included $1,000 each from Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., and Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, D-Ga.,

    Labor union and business PACs were among Mollohan’s heaviest donors.

    Groups who gave $10,000 were affiliated with: the United Mine Workers, International Association of Machinists, United Transportation Union and the Laborers International Union.

    Union groups donating between $5,000 and $7,500 included: the Communication Workers of America, American Federation of Teachers, International Association of Firefighters, Ironworkers, Carpenters, United Steelworkers, American Postal Workers and International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

    Business PAC contributions came to Mollohan from: Lockheed Employees PAC, Employees of Northrop Grumman Corp., Textron Inc. and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel PAC.

    To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.

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