A new political committee can raise unlimited amounts of cash to support Bill Cole’s Republican bid for governor.
The independent expenditure-only group Accelerate West Virginia formed Tuesday in South Charleston. A news release Thursday announced the group’s support of Cole, the state Senate president.
Groups like Accelerate West Virginia can raise and spend unlimited money to tell voters to vote for or not to vote for a candidate, often through political TV ads and mailings.
They can’t coordinate with candidates or political parties.
Cole is currently the only well-known Republican in the 2016 governor’s race.
Billionaire businessman Jim Justice and state Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler are running as Democrats. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin may also consider a Democratic bid.
Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is reaching his two-term limit.