Outside Groups Spend Big on Statehouse Campaigns

A Democratic group spent almost $446,000 to sway West Virginia’s statehouse elections.
 
     The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee contributed the cash to the group Protect West Virginia.
 
     Protect West Virginia attacked Republicans and supported Democrats in advertising, including mailings.
 
     This election, Republicans sealed their first state House of Delegates majority in more than eight decades. They clinched the Senate majority after a Democrat turned Republican.
 
     Other outside groups spent big on statehouse races.

•      Union-backed Honest West Virginians spent almost $1.4 million for Democrats.

•            Grow WV Inc. spent more than $1.4 million to help Republicans, including $500,000 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, $220,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee and $100,000 from Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick.

Moving West Virginia Forward BICPAC, another pro-GOP group, spent $360,500. Murray Energy contributed $250,000.