Associated Press Published

Charleston Attorney Files Early Papers to Challenge W.Va. AG

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Charleston attorney David Higgins has opened a fundraising account for a possible 2016 bid against Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

The Democrat filed pre-candidacy papers Friday. He is a founding member of Robinson & McElwee, PLLC. Higgins was a Charleston city councilman from 2003 to 2011. He spent $188,400 in a losing state Senate bid in the 2006 Democratic primary. He loaned his campaign almost $100,000.

Then-Gov. Joe Manchin appointed Higgins to the House of Delegates in 2007 and 2008. Higgins lost his seat in the 2010 Democratic primary.

Higgins said he is “testing the waters” and would hope not to have to self-fund the race.

In 2012, Morrisey ousted longtime Democratic Attorney General Darrell McGraw. Morrisey has $546,400 cash on hand after raising $311,500 and loaning his campaign $250,000.