MORGANTOWN – Only a handful of Morgantown-area legislative races are competitive this year. A look at their campaign finances suggests the advantages of incumbency – for candidates of both parties – and what it takes money-wise to make an impact.
The numbers come from the candidates’ 2024 Third Quarter reports, covering the period of July 1-Sept. 30. One more pre-election report, the 2024 general, is due Oct. 25 and will cover Oct. 1-20.
At the end, we also offer a list of local uncontested legislative races.
State Senate
District 13
This is an open seat; incumbent Democrat Mike Caputo is retiring. Democrat Joey Garcia is aiming to cross the Capitol from his seat in the House of Delegates. He’s challenged by Republican Rebecca Polis.
Garcia comes in with the advantage of prior campaigns. He opened the reporting period with $121,087.79 in his campaign account. He raised $39,617.67 in individual contributions and $675 at a Morgantown fundraiser. He also took in $300 in-kind – goods and services rather than cash.
He spent $96,153.41, leaving an account balance of $65,227.04.
His election year totals are $182,658.29 raised and $117,131.25 spent. He donated $23,350 to his campaign.
Polis is playing catch-up, having filed to run in July, after previous GOP candidate Jonathan Board withdrew to accept a position helming the West Virginia First Foundation that’s handling opioid suit settlement money.
She opened with $0 and quickly raised raised $20,755. She lent her campaign $5,000 and donated $2,800.
She spent $18,317.46, leaving a balance of $7,517.78. She reports unpaid bills of $2,868.21 for campaign staff compensation.
House of Delegates
District 78
Incumbent Republican Geno Chiarelli faces Democratic challenger Diane Market Gaston.
Chiarelli opened with $3,948.38 and raised $839.51 in individual contributions, plus $11,714.02 at fundraisers in Charleston and Morgantown.
He spent $683.28, leaving a balance of $15,818.63.
His year-to-date totals were $17,803.87 raised and $1,835.41 spent. He donated $1,400 to his campaign.
Gaston out-raised and outspent Chiarelli for the period, and ended with a bigger account balance.
She opened with $8499.89 and raised $22,340. She spent $10,510.29, leaving a balance of $20,329.60.
He year-to-date totals were $31,120 raised and $15,831.55 spent. She lent her campaign $5,000.
District 80
Incumbent Democrat John Williams faces Republican challenger Summer Hartley.
Williams opened with $36,663.70 and raised $22,150, plus $265.15 in-kind.
He spent $9,633.53, leaving a balance of $49,180.17.
His year-to-date totals were $64,759.35 raised and $15,314.03 spent. He donated $5,469.20 to his campaign.
Hartley has a smaller war chest but outspent Williams this period. She opened with $9,614.23 and raised $8,199.96 in individual contributions and $8,800 at a Charleston fundraiser.
She spent $11,522.10, leaving a balance of $15,092.09.
Her totals were $36,901.60 raised and $28,807.18 spent. She lent her campaign $9,000 and donated $6,328.92.
District 82
This is an open seat; incumbent Republican Debbie Warner chose not to seek reelection. Republican David McCormick faces Democrat Bill Reger-Nash. McCormick holds the financial edge.
McCormick opened with $82,674.93 and raised $9,981.24.
He spent $42,488.88, leaving a balance of $50,167.29.
His totals were $126,358.90 raised and $74,219.74 spent. He donated $3,550 to his campaign.
Reger-Nash opened with $19,366.35. He raised $22,223.40 in individual contributions and $1,895 at three Morgantown fundraisers. He took in $1,109.56 in-kind and his account earned $1.96 in interest.
He spent $21,824.32 leaving a balance of $21,662.39.
His totals were $60,995.76 raised and $38,165.65 spent. He donated $2,525 to his campaign.
Uncontested races
State Senate
District 2, Chris Rose, Republican
District 14, Randy Smith, Republican
House of Delegates
District 77, Joe Statler, Republican
District 79, Evan Hansen, Democrat
District 81, Anitra Hamilton, Democrat
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
