Government, News

Minimal campaign spending in local state Senate primary races

W. Va. — The primary races for two of three local state Senate districts are uncompetitive. The real action will follow for the general. In the third, two Democrats are vying to face the GOP incumbent.
In all three, spending has been relatively light. Dollar figures come from the candidates’ pre-primary reports, covering the period of March 31-April 22.

2nd District
Two Democrats are seeking to face incumbent Republican Charles Clements in November.
Clements raised $6,100 this period and spent nothing, leaving a balance of $8,300. His total fundraising for the election cycle was $8,401.49 and his spending was $101.49.

Democrat Carla Jones raised just $254.20 this period. She spent $492.73, leaving a balance of $624.44. Her totals to date: $2,059.20 raised, $1,434.76 spent.

Moneywise, her Democrat opponent Dennis Longwell is campaigning more aggressively. He raised $9,900 this period and spent $680.80, leaving a balance of $11,161.20.

His totals are $21,340 raised and $4,458.80 spent.

13th District
This race is seeing heavy fundraising, but not much spending yet. Both candidates are unopposed in their primaries.

Democrat incumbent Bob Beach raised $8,100 this period and spent only $100, leaving a balance of $10,125. His totals were $12,350 raised and $100 spent.

Republican challenger Mike Oliverio held this seat before Beach, as a Democrat. He changed parties in January to run for this office.

Oliverio raised $2,650 this period and spent $1,243.07, leaving $19,742.74 in his account. To date, he raised $22,510 and spent $2,707.26.

14th District
Both candidates in this race are also unopposed in their primaries. Looking to November, the challenger has been fundraising more heavily than the incumbent, though spending is about even.

Republican incumbent Dave Sypolt raised just $200 this period, and spent $4,495, leaving a balance of $1,695.55. His totals to date: $5,200 raised, $5,191.40 spent.

Democrat Stephanie Zucker raised $6,248 this period and spent $3,011.39, leaving herself $6,585.04. Her totals to date were $13,025 raised and $5,629.96 spent.