National Groups, Rich Candidates Top West Virginia Spending

West Virginia’s wealthy candidates poured money into their races during the past month, while the national association of Republican attorneys general spent $2.83 million trying to keep Patrick Morrisey in office.

The group previously paid $3.4 million for ads backing Morrisey, West Virginia’s first-term attorney general, against Huntington businessman and state delegate Doug Reynolds.

Morrisey’s own campaign filing shows about $133,000 contributed last month and $710,000 spent.

Reynolds reports raising $172,000 and spending $1 million of his own money, leaving $34,000 in his campaign fund.

The national Republican governors’ association spent about $900,000 supporting state Senate President Bill Cole’s bid for governor.

Cole, an auto dealer, raised $163,000, spent $492,000 and lent his campaign $100,000.

Opposing Democrat and businessman Jim Justice raised $201,000, spent $835,000, and lent $1.12 million to his campaign.