Campaign Finance Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Campaign Donors In Primary Race For Governor Spark Voter Attention

There’s more to glean from a candidate’s campaign financial reports than the amount of money raised. Who and where the contributions come from can spark voter alerts.

There’s more to glean from a candidate’s campaign financial reports than the amount of money raised. Who and where the contributions come from can be a reason for voter alerts.

Third quarter campaign finance reports in the West Virginia governor’s race show the four leading candidates, all Republican, raised nearly $1.2 million combined. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey accounted for nearly half that amount.

Marybeth Beller, Marshall University associate professor of Political Science, looked closely at in-state versus out-of-state contributions. She noted that of the two front-runners, 57 percent of Del. Moore Capito’s donations came from West Virginia donors, while 83 percent of Morrisey’s donors come from out-of-state. Beller said voters should pay attention to that.

“Voters need to really be wary, no matter who the candidate is, if the bulk of that candidate’s support is coming from outside the state,” Beller said. “What did those out-of-state interests have? And what are they trying to get from the gubernatorial position in West Virginia?”

The quarterly reports list donors that have given contributions under $250. Each donation is counted separately, creating multiple donations from single sources.

Beller noted that among the four leading candidates, businessman Chris Miller had 78 donations under $250, with just four multiple donations.

Secretary of State Mac Warner listed 281 individuals donating under $250 with 17 multiples. Capito had 322 individual donations with 25 multiple donors.

Morrisey reported 21,990 individual donations, with most from donors that contributed small amounts multiple times. Beller said this counting system can skew campaign ads.

“Morrisey can say in his ads that he has nearly 22,000 people contribute individual donations,” Beller said. “What would be misleading is for the audience to think that that meant they were individual donors. Most of those are recurring donations.”

Beller said that unlike his competitors, where most contributors list their address and occupation, the bulk of Morrisey’s contributors are unidentified.

“I would urge the Secretary of State’s office to really investigate those disclosures,” Beller said. “I think the public deserves to know where these contributions are coming from for all of the candidates.”

What Justice’s Senate Disclosure Form Shows, And What It Doesn’t

We spoke with Robert Maguire, research director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, about the limitations of candidate disclosures.

Gov. Jim Justice filed his required Senate candidate financial disclosure form last month. It reveals more than what he’s required to disclose on his state ethics form, but it, too, doesn’t include everything.

We spoke with Robert Maguire, research director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, about the limitations of candidate disclosures.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

TATE: Why are the required financial disclosures for federal candidates so vague?

MAGUIRE: The issue is that you have people with incredibly complicated finances filing in a system that wasn’t built for such wealth. And so you have, for example, very vague totals that are reported where some of these members have assets that are well above $50 million in value. And the highest bracket in the disclosure is just over $50 million. No matter how far above that it goes, you don’t really get any precision in terms of what the actual value is. There’s also the issue of there not being a uniform manner of filing. Some members still file on paper, and some of those paper filings are almost comically illegible. Some of them have handwritten information on them. And then you add to that, there is just not enough enforcement in terms of even when they file and what they file where. There are members who haven’t filed, still haven’t filed their paperwork for last year. There’s no real penalty for that kind of thing that happens all the time. We routinely see members go back and add major investments or major sales or major acquisitions, long after the fact. So there’s really just all around a kind of lack of enforcement. Now granted, having the information that we have is better than nothing.

TATE: Justice’s filings at the federal level omit many of his liabilities. At the state level, he’s exempt from disclosing any of them. What problems does that create?

MAGUIRE: The purpose of these laws is supposed to be that the public can view and and confirm that their elected officials, the people who are elected to serve the public, to serve the interests of their state or to serve the national interests, are actually serving those interests and not their own personal financial interests. And so when you exempt these things that can be subject to the sway of creditors or the sway of wealthy interests, then you have to ask yourself, why have the rules to begin with, if you’re going to exempt such important information? What we see so often in a lot of these filings is something that smells bad, but you can’t really tell exactly and if what you’re actually sensing is as off is actually off. That’s the problem with a lot of these instances. A lot of it could be aboveboard, it could be totally legit. But it’s also not particularly difficult in a lot of these instances to see how they could be used for undue influence.

TATE: Justice has legal troubles, and he’s not alone. But why run for office under such a cloud?

MAGUIRE: One thing that we have been seeing over the years is this idea that a run for federal office is a way of protection against some of the legal troubles that you are facing. And so there is this growing issue that once you get into office, it becomes harder to prosecute you. Basically there is a protection against legal accountability that comes with federal office that I think is perceived by a growing number of people that if there’s going to be any sort of federal charges, if there is going to be any sort of financial fine, the stakes when it comes to bringing those kinds of things against a federal official, become higher, because it can be politicized. I cannot say that that is what is happening in this instance. But it is certainly something that appears to be a part of the thought process among certain people.

TATE: What are some potential conflicts of interest should Justice be elected to the Senate?

MAGUIRE: Jim Justice the senator could potentially have oversight of agencies that could be prosecuting him or pursuing legal action against him. There are certainly implications there that are different from a governor. And so I can think that there could be other instances akin to that, that would change the dynamic there.

TATE: In what other ways does the wealth of candidates influence what the public knows about them?

MAGUIRE: Whether you’re talking about wealthy donors and wealthy members of Congress is that if you are wealthy enough to spend millions of dollars in politics, then you are wealthy enough to hire the best lawyers and accountants in the country to present the narrative financially that you need to present. That’s true, whether you’re talking about wealthy donors using dark money groups. That’s true, whether you’re talking about wealthy members of Congress, providing the best possible face to their financial disclosures as possible. So yes, I think a part of that is going through, what do I have to disclose and what can I conceivably omit? What can I arguably omit, based on the advice of my lawyers and accountants?

W.Va. State Auditor McCuskey Exits Governor’s Race, Enters 2024 Attorney General Campaign

State Auditor J.B. McCuskey announced Monday he has dropped out of the governor’s race and is now running for attorney general.

State Auditor J.B. McCuskey announced Monday he has officially dropped out of the governor’s race and is now running for attorney general.

In changing campaigns, the former delegate and two term state auditor said he realized he was behind in the polls and fundraising in a primary race for governor that included a U.S. Senator’s son, Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, businessman Chris Miller, current Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and current Secretary of State Mac Warner. McCuskey said seeking the AG’s office was a better goal.

“I looked at the offices,” McCuskey said. “I believe that the combination of my experience as the executive of one of the largest constitutional offices in the state of West Virginia, with my extensive legal background, makes me an ideal candidate to be the next attorney general.”

McCuskey says his nearly $700,000 campaign war chest stands strong in running against the other republican AG candidates, State Sens. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, and Mike Stewart, R-Kanawha. He came in fourth in fundraising for the governor’s race, showing $412,083 cash-on-hand.

That’s a good deal more than his two AG primary opponents.

Stating he’s a strong and principled conservative, McCuskey said the AG’s office acts as the state’s lawyer for all of the agencies, all of the boards and commissions, and all the constitutional officers.

“As the person that managed all the finances for every single one of those agencies,” he said. “Often dealing in the legal realm as to what is legal and what is possible, I think that being the state’s lawyer with all those relationships is going to be a huge help.”

McCuskey said he wants “to continue what Patrick Morrisey has accomplished over his time as attorney general that has been wildly successful.” He said his campaign will focus on being a consumer protection advocate, civil rights protector, criminal justice reformer and empowering the state’s public defender service.

“We have worked long and hard in our office to make sure that they’re getting paid very quickly,” McCuskey said. “We need to make sure that we’re paying them appropriately so that we can have a great public defender’s office to ensure all of those duties are running smoothly.”

J.B. McCuskey lives in Charleston, with his wife Wendy, and daughters Martha and Charlotte.

Manchin Campaign War Chest Exceeds Potential Rivals

Manchin reported more than $10 million for year-to-date cash on hand. Mooney and Justice combined year-to-date cash on hand totals reach about $2.3 million.

Even though he’s not yet declared, Sen. Joe Manchin’s 2024 campaign contribution totals tower over his potential Republican rivals.

In the second quarter 2023 campaign finance reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Manchin, D-W.Va., raised $1.268,705.31 million. Republican Senate candidate Gov. Jim Justice raised just under $1 million in the second quarter. Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va, raised $550.000.

Manchin reported $10,710,680.37 for year-to-date cash on hand. Mooney and Justice combined year-to-date cash on hand totals reach about $2.3 million.

Marshall University Associate Professor of Political Science Marybeth Beller said many major Manchin contributors come from out-of-state and have maxed out at the new $6,600 contribution limit.

Beller likens Manchin’s war chest to an organization that works to elect progressive women called Emily’s List. EMILY is an acronym for “early money is like yeast.” She said the funds act as a deterrent for any Democrat thinking about taking him on should he declare to run again for Senate.

“I think what’s going on here is that Senator Manchin is working very, very hard to outshine any possible opposition in his party, or across the aisle by raising all of this money,” Beller said. “If anything should happen, and he fails to get the primary nomination, he can return those donations that have already come in for the general.”

Manchin is also co-chair of the national No Labels party and touted as a possible third-party presidential candidate. Beller said Manchin has an all-options-open electoral strategy for No Labels as well.

“That strategy does not include his home state,” Beller said. “West Virginia is already counted in the solid Republican line with no chance of going for any No Labels candidate whatsoever. I don’t think there will be a viable Senate opponent should he decide to run, I’m sure there will be an opponent.”

Beller said in analyzing the FEC numbers, there are a number of banks around West Virginia that are contributing to Manchin. She said ActBlue, which collects small democratic donor contributions and then gives them out to Democrats, could include a lot of West Virginia donors. But she said it’s telling that the big money donations come from elsewhere.

“Of all those thousands of dollars that have come in for Senator Manchin, only four individual contributors are from West Virginia,” Beller said. “It tells me that the senator is very powerful and that a lot of people are courting his votes, and that he is going to be important if he’s still in the Senate. But nobody’s willing to write him off, by any stretch.”

Manchin has said he will make any possible campaign announcement this December.

Justice, Mooney Senate Campaign Finance Numbers Note Diverse Support

The Republican U.S. Senate primary campaigns for Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney released their candidates’ second quarter finance numbers this week.

The Federal Election Commission’s deadline for second quarter filing is July 15. Neither candidate had filed as of this story’s publishing.

The Justice campaign said it has raised more than $935,000 since he announced his candidacy in late April. The Mooney campaign says he raised $550,000 in the second quarter of 2023.

Mooney’s camp said it currently has $1.5 million cash on hand. Justice’s people report over $800,000 cash on hand entering the third fundraising quarter.

West Virginia University’s (WVU) Political Science Department Chair John Kilwein thinks the amounts were closer than expected.

“Given Justice’s popularity and support by Mitch McConnell and the polling data, I thought it was going to be a lot higher,” Kilwein said, referring to the Senate Republican leader from Kentucky, who recruited Justice to run.

The Justice campaign press release highlights “receiving support from 5,526 individual donors, with 93 percent of those donors giving less than $100.”

Mooney’s campaign release touts, “Club for Growth Action and Protect Freedom PAC (Political Action Committee) announced that it hauled in an impressive $13.55 million for Alex Mooney.”

Kilwein said both releases clearly come with a specific angle from the candidate’s perspective. He sees two possible scenarios for the dichotomy in highlighting small vs. big donations.

“One, you may be taking advantage of what is a reality that isn’t as helpful to you,” Kilwein said. “If that’s where you got the money from, then you simply have to brag about where you got it. Or, it just may be that both candidates are saying, here’s the narrative – Mooney may be explaining to more fiscally conservative voters, look who’s backing me. Justice is playing on his strength, a popular governor, well loved across the state.”

Mooney’s release notes, “Club for Growth PAC endorsed Alex Mooney in West Virginia’s U.S. Senate Race because Alex is a proven conservative.”

When asked about the PACs aligned with McConnell supporting Justice and how much money has been raised, Justice’s campaign manager Roman Stauffer suggested using this quote attributed to him, not answering the question:

“Governor Justice received tremendous support from West Virginians and others who have confidence in his leadership and conservative record and know he is the strongest candidate for the U.S. Senate,” Stauffer said. “Unlike our opponent, we are focused on talking to West Virginians and not coordinating with out-of-state groups desperate to influence this race.”

Justice and Mooney are the two leading Republican candidates on the May 2024 primary ballot. Incumbant Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has said he expects to announce his future political intentions in December.

Even with West Virginia being such a red state, Kilewein said Justice and Mooney “should not think this is going to be a cakewalk once it gets to the general election.”

“Why? Just because Manchin is Manchin,” Kilwein said. “It could be a complete wipeout. But I also think that it could be tough. I definitely could see Manchin run with this kind of folksy charm against Mooney, who certainly lacks that as someone who is not a native is needed. It will be a tougher battle between Justice and Manchin, but Justice comes to this with some problems with his companies and his age and his health, and his apparent lack of interest in not wanting to live in Charleston. How are you going to want to live in D.C.? I’m not saying that the Republicans are not going to win. I’m just saying that it may not be as easy as they think it is.”

West Virginia’s 2024 primary election is May 14.

W.Va. Campaign Finance Reporting For Governor’s Race

With more than 10 months until the May, 2024 primary elections, several West Virginia candidates for governor have campaign fundraising operations in full swing.

With more than 10 months until the May 2024 primary elections, several West Virginia candidates for governor have campaign fundraising operations in full swing.

The deadline for quarterly campaign finance reports turned into the Secretary of State’s office was this past Friday.

Fundraising numbers this early will show tiers of support and resources that candidates use to develop their campaigns.

Gov. Jim Justice is up against term limits and running for U.S. Senate, setting up a wide field of Republican gubernatorial candidates, no Democrat has announced as of yet.

In the race for governor, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, reported raising $1.3 million for the second quarter 2023 fundraising period.

Morrisey reported spending $294,386 on his campaign so far overall – and has $1,084,305 cash still on hand.

House Judiciary chairman Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, is running for governor. The son of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., reported $288,329 in contributions during the period. Capito has raised a little more than $1 million overall and has spent about $124,000 leaving him with a little more than $948,000 on hand.

Republican auditor and gubernatorial candidate J.B. McCuskey reported $120,374 in contributions over the period. Reports show his campaign has brought in $648,233 overall, spending $236,247, leaving $412,082 available.

Republican Secretary of State Mac Warner, a candidate for governor, reported raising a little more than $96,000 during the reporting period. Warner reported raising more than $324,689 overall so far, and spent more than $125,313 — leaving $194,509 cash on hand.

The first to get into the governor’s race was auto dealer Chris Miller. He’s the Republican son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller. His second quarter campaign fundraising numbers are not yet on the SOS website. A press release from Miller announced raising over $3.8 million since the start of the campaign, with 93 percent of contributions coming from within West Virginia. The release said Miller now has nearly $3.5 million cash on hand after raising $316,182 last quarter.

According to a recent poll sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, frontrunners Morrisey and Capito are neck and neck. The poll shows Morrisey at 31 percent and Capito at 30 percent. Mac Warner had nine percent, Chris Miller had five percent, J.B. McCuskey had three percent, while five percent said they would support another candidate and 17 percent were unsure.

WVU Political Science Department Chair John Kilwein said early fundraising numbers don’t necessarily go hand in hand with early polling numbers.

“Chris Miller raised just over $600,000, but there’s only a five percent poll showing,” Kilwein said. “That comes from a name but as a representative number, that’s a little bit surprising. It’s also surprising to me that Mac Warner is only nine percent in the poll and raised just over $300,000.”

Rashida Yost, a Republican candidate for governor from Martinsburg, raised $8,100 during the period. Yost has $8,593 on hand overall.

Former Republican delegate Marshall Wilson, running for governor under the America Coming Together party, reports $915 on hand.

Kilwein said candidate campaign expenditures at this time in the election cycle become geared to raising poll numbers incrementally.

“If you do have that money in your back pocket as the Chamber’s first polling is the first cut, it is just a snapshot,” Kilwein said. “If you do have $600,000, you’re going to try to get your name out there and try to bump that 5 percent up to double digits, and get into those two frontrunners.”

West Virginia’s 2024 primary election is May 14.