2016 Election Story Archives - Page 8 of 12 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

West Virginia Billionaire Spends $2 Million for Governor Primary

In his bid for governor, West Virginia billionaire businessman Jim Justice has spent more than $2 million before the May 10 Democratic primary.

In campaign finance filings tracking through April 24, Justice spent $2.1 million since his campaign started. He put almost $2 million of his money in the race and has raised $683,700.

Ex-U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin has spent $302,100 and raised $367,600 in the race.

The third Democratic candidate, Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, didn’t immediately report fundraising numbers. Through late March, Kessler spent $140,500 and raised $213,800.

Reports are due by the end of Friday.

The winner faces Republican Senate President Bill Cole in November.

Cole’s latest report wasn’t yet available. Through late March, he spent $467,300 and raised $1.1 million.

All four are running TV ads.

W.Va. Voter Registration Deadline Approaching

More than 33,000 West Virginia voters have used the state’s online voter registration system. The numbers come from the Secretary of State’s Office as the deadline to register to vote in West Virginia’s primary election is quickly approaching.

The Secretary of State’s Office reports about 50 percent of those using the online voter registration system were new applicants, signing up to vote for the first time. The other half were made up of voters looking to change their names, addresses, or party affiliations.

Residents from all of the state’s 55 counties have submitted information through the online system.

The deadline to register to vote in West Virginia’s primary election in Tuesday, April 19. Voters can use the online system or visit their county clerk’s office to fill out the registration form.

The state’s primary election will be held on May 10.

It will be the only time West Virginia voters can cast ballots for judicial officers, including the contested race for one open seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

West Virginia holds a closed primary meaning voters can only cast ballots for candidates from the party they are registered in. Registered independent voters can choose between the two party ballots.

Two of Four Governor Candidates Attend Forum, Sponsor Pushes Back

Two of the four candidates running for Governor participated in a forum hosted by the statewide community action group Create West Virginia in Charleston Tuesday.

The forum allowed candidates to give extended presentations about themselves and their campaigns followed by answering questions from five moderators from across the state and from the audience.

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler and former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin—both Democrats—were the only two candidates to accept invitations to the forum. Democratic businessman Jim Justice and Republican Senator Bill Cole declined the invitation.

On their website, Create West Virginia posted critical comments about the two candidates who did not participate saying:

One may draw the conclusion that these candidates don't consider Create West Virginia's gubernatorial forum, and multiple others they've declined, as important enough to attend…but we're not taking it personally. We've been told that the strategy for the two front runners is to avoid situations that may give voters a reason NOT to vote for them. The fact that a candidate can win by avoiding meaningful conversations that reveal who they really are, what they really know about modern economic development, and what their real plans are to move us toward an Innovation Economy is deeply troubling. We're counting on our people to prove those strategists wrong.

In a written response to the claim, Cole’s campaign said:

Bill Cole is the only candidate to have already campaigned in all 55 counties. He will participate in debates and forums after the primary once a Democratic nominee is determined. Only then can there be a clear discussion of the issues and competing visions to get West Virginia moving again.

A spokesman for Jim Justice’s campaign responded:

"Jim has participated in several candidate forums across the state so far and is looking forward to the April 16 statewide debate hosted by the Democratic Party."

That forum will feature the three Democratic candidates for the office before the May 10 primary.

Temporary Panel to Hear W.Va. Justice's Appeal

A panel of judges has been appointed to hear an appeal from a state Supreme Court justice in a campaign financing case.

The panel was announced Wednesday after all the Supreme Court justices recused themselves from hearing the appeal of Justice Brent Benjamin.

The state Election Commission decided in January to certify Benjamin for public campaign financing. A Kanawha County judge overturned the decision, ruling that Benjamin’s campaign missed filing and campaign contribution reporting deadlines.

The Supreme Court says appointed to hear the case are senior status judges Thomas Keadle and James Holliday and circuit judges John Hatcher, James Mazzone and Thomas Evans.

The appeal will be heard on March 23 at 10 a.m. and will be carried live on the West Virginia Channel and steamed live on WVPB’s YouTube Channel.

Candidate Looks for Stay While Appealing Campaign Finance Decision

Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin has filed for a stay in his case over state public campaign finance dollars.

On Friday, a Kanawha County Circuit judge ruled the State Election Commission had erred in awarding Benjamin the public monies last month and reversed the decision to award Benjamin the money.

The lawsuit was filed by fellow Supreme Court candidate Beth Walker who had challenged Benjamin’s qualifying donations before the SEC.

In the filing requesting the stay, Benjamin asks the judge to delay the effects of his ruling while the campaign files an appeal with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The filing says there is little precedent for the court to follow because the statutes setting out the public campaign financing code are so new and haven’t been challenged.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no appeal had been filed with the Supreme Court.

Walker has also filed suit over the qualifying donations approved by the SEC that were entered by another Supreme Court candidate, Bill Wooten. That case is still pending in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

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