MORGANTOWN — The challengers in two of three local state Senate races far outspent the incumbents in their unsuccessful election bids. In the third, the spending was close to even, though the vote totals weren’t.
The races were for the 2nd, 13th and 14th Senate districts. The figures come from the candidates’ Post-General reports, covering the period of Oct. 22 through Nov. 18 — about two weeks after the General Election.
We also include, as we do after every general election, the candidates’ cost per vote, which is based on spending for the entire season and gives one perspective on how candidate spending correlated with votes received.
Spending by outside groups for local Senate and House races will be reviewed in a separate story.
2nd District
Incumbent Republican Charles Clements defeated Democrat challenger Denny Longwell with 19,895 votes (58.79 percent) to Longwell’s 13,944 votes (41.21 percent).
Clements opened the period with $18,639.66 and raised another $1,110.48 in individual contributions, including $207 from himself to his campaign.
He spent $16,146.66, leaving an account balance of $3,603.48.
His totals for the season were $50,097.67 raised and $46,153.49. His cost per vote was $2.32.
Longwell opened with $25,039.84 and raised $3,225. He spent $24,104.53, leaving a balance of $4,160.31.
For the season, he raised $42,595 and spent $38,434.69 – a bit less than Clements. His cost per vote was slightly higher, at $2.76.
13th District
While this race was the closest in terms of votes, it showed the biggest difference between spending and votes received.
Incumbent Democrat Bob Beach defeated Republican challenger Mike Oliverio — who previously held the seat as a Democrat — with 18,692 votes (52.18 percent) to Oliverio’s 17,129 votes (47.82 percent).
Beach opened with $32,326.34 and raised $8,000.30. He spent $22,068.78, leaving a balance of $18,257.86.
His totals for the season were $59,618.55 raised and $38,180.64 spent. His cost per vote was $2.04.
Oliverio opened with $19,794.72 and raised $12,225. He spent a bit more than Beach for the period, $27,857.32, leaving a balance of $4,255.55.
His totals for the season were far higher than Beach’s: $98,405 raised, $94,182.60 spent. His cost per vote was $5.50.
14th District
Republican incumbent Dave Sypolt defeated Democrat challenger Stephanie Zucker with 21,936 votes (60.22 percent) to Zucker’s 14,492 votes (39.78 percent) — the widest vote margin of the three races.
Sypolt open with $16,212.65 and raised another $8,600. He spent $17,760.40, leaving a balance of $7,053.25.
For the season, he raised $31,350 and spent $25,984.70. His cost per vote was $1.18.
Zucker spent considerably less during the final stretch, but nearly double during the entire season. Her cost per vote was more than double.
She opened with $9,561.86 and raised $1,910, plus $17.50 in-kind from Democrat House candidate Cory Chase for stamps.
She spent $10,612.95, leaving a balance of $1,146.38.
For the season, she raised $44,951.24 and spent $42,243.94. Her cost per vote was $2.91.
Twitter David Beard @dbeardtdp
DBeard@DominionPost.com
