Gov. Jim Justice and Congressman Alex Mooney each have more than $1 million cash on hand as their Republican primary race for U.S. Senate hits the stretch run, according to filings with the Federal Elections Commission.
Through the end of last month, Justice’s campaign had $1,061,211.10, according to the filings that were updated after a deadline this week.
From the start of the campaign through March 31, the Justice effort has brought in $2,577,752.22 in contributions. The campaign has reported spending $1,516,541.12.
For the most recent filing period, Jan. 1 to March 31, Justice’s campaign brought in $404,948.15 and spent $586,065.41, according to the latest FEC report.
A political action committee called “Defend American Jobs,” associated with cryptocurrency, has put up $3.2 million independently to help Justice, according to the federal filings. The organization has been a political player in races across the country.
Mooney’s campaign has $1,294,772.78 on hand, according to the Federal Elections Commission filings.
Mooney’s campaign and associated committees, from the start of the race, reported bringing in $3,182,358.70 overall while spending $1,887,585.92.
In the most recent filing period, Jan. 1-March 31, Mooney’s campaign brought in $315,977.57 and spent $828,533.25.
Club for Growth Action put down $2.1 million to oppose Justice and support Mooney.
West Virginia’s primary election is May 14. The early voting period for the primary election starts May 1 and ends May 11.
Justice leads 66% to Mooney’s 24%, according to the latest MetroNews West Virginia Poll, sponsored by The Health Plan. The remainder of likely voters who were polled remained undecided or named some other candidate.
Justice and Mooney are vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat who decided not to run again. Because West Virginia has been trending more and more Republican, most political observers have already concluded that the winner of the Republican primary is more than likely to win in November.
Several Democrats are vying for that party’s nomination to U.S. Senate.
Marine Corps veteran Zach Shrewsbury has $50,959.17 for his campaign, according to the FEC.
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott has $81,149.34 for his campaign.
A 2024 U.S. Senate campaign finance report isn’t readily apparent for Don Blankenship, a former coal executive who registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State to run as a Democrat even though he spent years supporting Republican candidates and conservative policies.
There is a federal record of a committee called “West Virginians to Elect Don.”
