MORGANTOWN — In terms of campaign fundraising and spending, two of three local state Senate races are highly competitive.
The races, in the order we’ll look at them, are for the 13th, 2nd and 14th districts. The numbers come from the candidates’ 3rd Quarter Reports, covering July 1-Sept. 30, and their General Reports, covering Oct. 1-23.
In virtually all cases, for candidates of both parties, contributions came from individuals and PACs, so we won’t repeat that for each, noting only when it varies.
13th District
This is an open seat. Sen. Bob Beach, who holds it now, is running for Monongalia County Commission. Democratic Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer and Republican Mike Oliverio, who held the seat before Beach, are vying for it.
This race is the spendiest of all local legislative contests, and roughly even in terms of fundraising.
Fleischauer opened the 3rd Quarter period with $116,589.72 in her campaign account. She brought in $81,864.99 and raised another $11,980 at fundraisers in Charleston, Fairmont and Morgantown.
She also received $2,401.75 in-kind. She spent $29,485.37.
During the General period, she received $24,545 plus another $8,595 at a D.C. fundraiser. She also received $487 in-kind. She spent $163,488.91, leaving a balance of $50,400.43 heading into the final weeks before the Nov. 8 election.
Her totals for the election year — including the primary season — were $222,072.85 raised and $231,827.79 spent. The second figure is larger, allowed for by a $50,000 loan from Fleischauer to her campaign account.
Oliverio opened the 3rd Quarter with $52,198.99. He received $49,900 and raised another $43,525 at fundraisers in Morgantown and Charleston. He spent $38,583.34.
Moving into the General period, he received $36,770 plus $6,649 at a Morgantown fundraiser. He spent $101,817.53, leaving a balance of $48,642.12.
His totals for the year were $227,003.02 raised and $177,609.10 spent.
2nd District
Incumbent Republican Charles Clements faces challenger Eric Hayhurst, who has outpaced Clements in fundraising and spending.
Clements began the 3rd Quarter with $25,849.87. He received $23,704.15 plus $2,150 at a Moundsville fundraiser. He spent $10,471.37.
During the General period he received $13,600 and spent $48,969.70, leaving a balance of $5,866.53.
His totals for the year were $67,989.91 raised and $62,127.37 spent.
Hayhurst began the 3rd Quarter with $24,063.09. He received $27,909 plus $3,595 at a Charleston fundraiser. He also received $1,896.63 in-kind — all of that but $329.91 from himself.
He also recorded a September loan from himself to his campaign of $5,000. He spent $15,173.97.
During the General period, he received $12,645 plus $1,395 at a Morgantown fundraiser. He spent $45,160.30, leaving $14,272.82 in his account.
His totals for the year were $95,730.68 raised and $75,049.60 spent.
14th District
This race is a bit lopsided in terms of campaign money and reflects the lowest fundraising and spending of the three races.
It’s an open seat: Republican Sen. Dave Sypolt is retiring. Republican Jay Taylor and Democrat Amanda Pitzer are vying to fill it.
Taylor began the 3rd Quarter with $6,465.14. He received $16,195 plus $1,855 at a Grafton fundraiser. He spent $8,341.67.
During the next period, he raised another $4,654 and spent $745, leaving a balance of $20,082.57.
His totals for the year were $34,979.48 raised and $14,896.91 spent.
For Pitzer, we have only her 3rd Quarter Report. Oct. 28 was the deadline for the General Report and it did not appear on the secretary of state’s page as of Oct. 31.
She opened the 3rd Quarter with $5,360, received only $10 from a single individual, spent nothing and ended the period with a balance of $5,370.
TWEET David Beard @dbeardtdp
EMAIL dbeard@dominionpost.com
