MORGANTOWN – In the race for secretary of state, Democrat Thornton Cooper held a substantial financial lead over Republican Kris Warner – who’s aiming to succeed his brother Mac Warner – at the end of June.
Cooper had no primary opponent, while Warner had to fend off three GOP rivals – two of whom far outspent him. And while Warner donated a small amount to his campaign account, all the other candidates of both parties were their own biggest supporter through either loans or donations.
The numbers come from their 2nd Quarter financial reports covering April 29-June 30.
Warner tallied 45.86% of the votes in the May primary. During the second quarter he raised $35,790.78, lent his campaign $1,188.62 and spent $50,819.91.
That left him a balance of $6,729.10 heading into the third quarter, which runs through September.
His year-to-date totals were $145,904.63 raised and $138,240.93 spent. He lent his campaign a total $2,030.11 and donated $2,000.
Second-place finisher Doug Skaff spent more than four times as much as Warner for the primary season and tallied less than half the votes – 20.98%.
Skaff was House of Delegates minority leader but resigned from the House last September and announced his party switch last October.
During the second quarter, he raised $7,100, lent his campaign $121,010 and spent $149,428.39 (more than Warner spent the entire primary season). That left a balance of $6,988.40.
Year-to-date, he raised $129,939.85 and spent $593,961.46. He lent his campaign a total $471,010 and donated $35,000 to it.
Third-place finisher Ken Reed is a former Berkeley County delegate. During the quarter he raised $600, lent his campaign $6,000 and spent $191,105.76, leaving a balance of $109.26.
Year-to-date he raised $23,935, including $1,000 from himself. His loans totaled $272,823.38, and he spent $296,649.12 – more than twice Warner’s spending, for just 16.83% of the total votes.
Fourth-place finished Brian Wood tallied only 1,018 fewer votes than Reed – at 16.32% – while Reed spent more than seven times as much money.
Wood is Putnam County clerk. During the quarter he raised $204.97 and spent $30,480.50, leaving a balance of $1,150.
Year-to-date, he raised $9,744.97 and spent $38,459.01. He lent his campaign $30,000 and donated $2,000.
Democrat Cooper is a South Charleston attorney who has served on the Kanawha County and South Charleston Democratic Executive Committees.
During the quarter, he raised $4,221.69, with $3,071.69 of that from himself. He spent $153.69.
That left him a balance of $14,115 going into the third quarter against Warner.
Year-to-date he raised $15,776.48 and spent $1,661.48. He was his single-largest donor, at $14,511.48.
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
