MORGANTOWN – Four Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination for the office of state auditor in the May 14 primary. One Democrat comes into the primary unopposed and will face the GOP winner.
Current Auditor J.B. McCuskey is running for secretary of state.
Here is a look at the five candidates’ most recent campaign finance reports, the Primary Report, covering the period of April 1-28. The next report is due July 8.
Republicans
Former Nicholas County Delegate Caleb Hanna opened the reporting period with $144,862.26. This period he brought in a single $50 contribution and spent $8,500, leaving a campaign account balance of $136,412.26.
His election year-to-date totals are $117,307.68 raised – with $3,766.69 from himself to his campaign – plus $50,000 in loans from himself to his campaign, and $27,837.23 spent.
Berkeley County Delegate Eric Householder spent four years as House Finance chair and currently serves as majority leader.
He opened with $101,860.78 and raised $9,250 in individual contributions and $10,350 at fundraisers in Bluefield and Charleston. He spent $31,272.17, leaving a balance of $90,188.61.
His year-to-date totals are $201,048.17 raised – with $115,701 from himself – and $107,927.39 spent.
State Sen. Mark Hunt previously served in the House as a Democratic Kanawha County delegate, then changed parties and was elected to the Senate as a Republican in 2022.
He opened with $2,227.76 and raised $7,600 in individual contributions and $15,900 at a fundraiser in Charleston. He received $165 in-kind, with $107 of that from himself (goods and services, not spendable cash).
He spent $9,173.02, leaving a balance of $16,554.74.
His year-to-date totals are $35,952.26 raised – with $3,950.63 from himself – and $10,917.50 spent.
Tricia Jackson is a former Jefferson County commissioner. She and commission colleague Jennifer Krouse refused to attend commission meetings from Sept. 7 through Nov. 30 last year, as a protest over selection to fill an empty seat on the commission. Following a complaint filed against them last November, a three-judge panel removed them from office on May 1.
Jackson chose to continue her campaign for auditor. She opened the period with $241.22 and received $1,615.70 individual contributions, plus $459.41 in-kind, with all but $30 of that from herself.
She spent $1,472.68, leaving a balance of $384.24.
Her year-to-date totals are $11,537.03 raised – with $2,074 from herself – and $8,236.89 spent.
Democrat
Mary Ann Claytor, of St. Albans, has worked in the auditor’s office and run for the position twice before.
She opened with $3,990.48 and received $1,018 in individual contributions and $1,680 at a fundraiser in Charles Town. She spent $2,180.67, leaving a balance of $4,507.81.
Her year-to-date totals are $8,490.93 raised – with $439 from herself – and $3,457.03 spent.
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
