The race for governor in West Virginia is already starting to heat up financially.
Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican serving his second term, is up against a term limit and so the 2024 field is wide open.
The filings, which had a reporting deadline on Friday, are signs of financial support for the candidates and resources available for statewide messaging.
Chris Miller, an auto dealer and the son of Congresswoman Carol Miller, has raised $431,526.27 in contributions over the past three months and has $3,322,540 cash on hand based largely on some big loans, according to the most recent campaign finance filings with the Secretary of State’s Office.
The most recent financial reports show Miller, a Republican, loaning his campaign a total of $2.9 million so far. Some of his biggest contributors are other automotive dealers, including former state senator Bill Cole, owner of Bill Cole Automall, and others like Wally Thornhill, Todd Judy, Joe Holland and Joel Goldy, whose dealerships bear their names.
Delegate Moore Capito, a lawyer and son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, raised $251,007 over the first quarter of 2023 and has $705,465 cash on hand.
Capito, a Republican, is getting support from several political action committees along with prominent public figures such as businessman and political adviser Bray Cary, former Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and Justice administration senior adviser Larry Pack, as well as Steve Ruby, an attorney who often represents Gov. Justice in private practice, and Larry Puccio, a lobbyist and political adviser.
Auditor J.B. McCuskey raised $153,513 during the period and has $387.052 on hand as another Republican running for governor.
Mac Warner, the current secretary of state, raised $175,209 over the past three months and has $162,018 cash on hand in the race for governor. Some of the biggest donors for Warner, a Republican, are members of his own extended family.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey just announced last week that he intends to run for governor in 2024. The Republican has received $10 million combined in fundraising pledges from Black Bear political action committee and Club for Growth PAC.
Another Republican candidate for governor, Rashida Yost of Martinsburg, is listed as having $2,000 on hand. Former state delegate Marshall Wilson, running for governor under the America Coming Together party, has $818 on hand.
