(Capitol Notes – Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)
MORGANTOWN — Republican Gov. Jim Justice won his soon-to-be U.S. Senate seat in a landslide, taking all 55 counties and 68.75% of the votes.
He likewise dominated the campaign fundraising and spending contest, taking in nearly five times as much cash as Democratic opponent Glenn Elliott.
Here’s a look at their election season numbers, from the post-general election reports filed this month with the Federal Election Commission.
Justice’s total receipts were $4,250,713.43, but his net contributions – factoring out refunds typical to most federal races – were $3,358.672.
Of those contributions, individuals gave $2,672,272.62; PACs gave $703,300; and transfers from other committees totaled $864,838.31. His Justice for WV Senate Republican Nominee Fund transferred $309,008.73 to his main campaign committee account.
The Justice campaign net operating expenditures were $3,486,276.74, leaving the account with $724,519.22 cash on hand.
His top states for contributions were: West Virginia, $997,010.78; Texas, $241,904.95; Ohio, $174,627.23; New York, $170,947.68; Virginia, $129,635.54; Florida, $127,457.56; and Minnesota, $123,850.
Outside groups spent money supporting and opposing Justice.
Total independent expenditures supporting Justice were $3,714,940.03. The bulk of that came from the pro-cryptocurrency super PAC Defend American Jobs, with $3,025,543.70.
Other supporters were: Team West Virginia, $483,191.93; Conservative Americans PAC, $176,584.22; More Jobs Less Government, $25,549; NRA Political Victory Fund, $3,868.50; and West Virginians for Life PAC, $202.68.
The outside opposition money, $2,106,396.52, was spent during the primary by the conservative Club For Growth, which terms itself a national network of limited government Americans and the leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the nation.
Club for Growth supported Rep. Alex Mooney’s unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination. Club for Growth Action spent $2,106,037.79 and the Club for Growth PAC spent $358.73.
Elliott tallied 27.76% of the votes. His total receipts were $855,051.42.
His net contributions were $847,573.78. Of that, $838,607.26 came from individuals and $11,068 from PACs.
His net operating expenditures were $746,756, leaving his campaign $9,109.72 cash on hand.
Elliott’s top contributor states were: West Virginia, $268,782.85; California, $102,009.37; Virginia, $43,976.95; New York, $40,303.92; Massachusetts, $26,576.18; Maryland, $25,339.14; and Florida, $23,810.43.
Libertarian David Moran received 3.49% of the votes. His FEC entry shows no reportable financial activity.
