Morrisey dominates Williams in fundraising heading into final stretch of West Virginia governor's race

According to his third-quarter report, Morrisey raised more than $1.2 million for the three-month period, bringing his election year-to-date campaign fundraising total to more than $6.6 million, leaving him with more than $1.7 million in cash-on-hand. After repaying $175,000 in loans, Morrisey’s outstanding loan debt was $99,000.

Of the $1.2 million raised, $65,869 came from small-dollar donations of less than $250 per donor. Another nearly $1.1 million came from donors contributing more than $250 per donor. And $117,784 came from five fundraising events during the quarter.

Williams raised $152,290 during the quarter and $235,036 election year-to-date. That leaves Williams with $153,059 in cash-on-hand heading into the final five weeks of the election. Of the $152,290 raised, $48,928 came from small-dollar donors and $81,904 came from large-dollar donors. Another $19,903 came from two fundraising events.

Morrisey, wrapping up his third four-year term as attorney general, defeated former state lawmaker Moore Capito, Secretary of State Mac Warner, Huntington businessman Chris Miller and others in a competitive and expensive primary. Williams, wrapping up his third and final term as Huntington mayor, was unopposed.

Both Morrisey and Williams agreed to a debate hosted by WV MetroNews on Oct. 29, at Fairmont State University. According to the latest MetroNews West Virginia Poll released at the end of August, 49% of respondents said they would vote for Morrisey, while 35% said they would vote for Williams, with 5% preferring another candidate and 11% unsure.

In other races for Board of Public Works seats, Republican State Auditor J.B. McCuskey outraised Democratic Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva in their race to succeed Morrisey as attorney general. McCuskey raised $132,453 for the quarter and election year-to-date, leaving him with $127,005 in cash-on-hand. Toriseva raised $9,837 for the quarter and $46,856 election year-to-date. However, after expenses, Toriseva was $576 in the red.

In the race to succeed Secretary of State Mac Warner, his brother Republican Economic Development Authority Executive Director Kris Warner outraised Democratic South Charleston attorney Thornton Cooper, but both have roughly the same amount of cash-on-hand.

Kris Warner raised $11,761 for the quarter and $157,665 election year-to-date, with $9,162 in cash-on-hand. Cooper raised $6,578 for the quarter and $22,354 election year-to-date, leaving him with $10,368 in cash-on-hand after expenses. But of the $6,578 raised by Cooper, $3,068 of large-dollar donations came from Cooper himself.

In the race to succeed McCuskey as state auditor, Sen. Mark Hunt, R-Kanawha, raised $30,330 for the quarter and $70,746 election year-to-date, leaving him with $18,414 in cash-on-hand. His Democratic opponent, Mary Ann Claytor, an employee in the office of the state auditor, raised $15,948 for the quarter and $30,615 election year-to-date, leaving her with $6,067 in cash-on-hand.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, seeking a third and final term, raised $45,730 for the quarter and $265,968 election year-to-date, leaving him with $55,348 in cash-on-hand. His Democratic opponent, Tucker County farmer Deborah Stiles, raised $4,310 for the quarter and $7,311 election year-to-date. She has $936 in cash-on-hand. Stiles took out an additional $4,462 loan for her campaign on Sept. 30 but repaid $1,854 in prior debt.

Despite only having a write-in Democratic opponent, Department of Revenue Secretary Larry Pack, a Republican, raised $235,668 for the quarter and election year-to-date for state treasurer, leaving him with $531,879 in cash-on-hand due to an older $300,000 loan to his campaign.