MORGANTOWN – The Republican candidates for attorney general and secretary of state held significant leads in fundraising and spending in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s general election.
The figures come from their 2024 General Reports. The post-election reports, covering Oct. 21-Dec. 31, are due Jan. 7, 2025.
For attorney general Republican J.B. McCuskey – currently state auditor – faces Democratic Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva.
McCuskey opened the reporting period with $203,068.76 in his campaign account. He raised $36,000 in individual contributions plus $21,700 at a Morgantown fundraiser.
He spent $19,487.98, leaving a balance of $241,280.78.
His year-to-date totals were $1,499,879.26 raised and $1,270,772.38 spent. He gave his campaign $121,927,92.
Toriseva’s numbers are a fraction of McCuskey’s. She opened with her account in the red, at negative $575.70. She raised $729.37 and gave her campaign $123.28 in-kind (goods and services).
She spent $1,100, leaving her account still in the hole at negative $946.33.
Her year-to-date totals were $47,709.10 raised and $43,829.87 spent. She’s given her campaign $4,861.64.
Secretary of state
Republican Kris Warner faces Democrat Thornton Cooper.
Warner is executive director of the state Economic Development Authority and brother of current Secretary of State Mac Warner. Cooper is a South Charleston attorney who has served on the Kanawha County and South Charleston Democratic Executive Committees.
Warner opened with $9,162.12. He raised $24,603.03 and gave his campaign a loan of $410.38.
He spent $3,965.11, leaving a balance of $30,210.42.
His year-to-date totals were $182,268.29 raised and $151,533.65 spent. He gave his campaign $2,300 and lent it $2,440.49. He still records an unpaid bill of $1,420 for a venue rental.
Cooper opened with a bigger account balance but closed the period with a smaller account.
He opened with $10,378.09 and raised $2,452.78, with $1,957.78 of that from himself. He also received $15 in-kind.
He spent $2.967.36, leaving a balance of $10,863.51.
His totals were $24,822.15 raised and $13,913.64 spent. He gave his campaign $19,572.15.
