June 15, 2004

Some defeated candidates end primary race in the red

By Tom Searls
Staff Writer

Many of the losers in West Virginia’s gubernatorial primary last month lost more than pride. They lost lots of money, too.

Former state senator Lloyd Jackson lost the most, but candidates on both tickets racked up large deficits in their effort.

Jackson, who ended the campaign a distant second to Democratic nominee Joe Manchin, loaned his effort another $920,000 in the last month of the campaign. During that time, he spent more than $1.3 million trying to catch Manchin and ended up owing himself more than $3 million.

For the entire contest Jackson raised $3,415,664 and spent $3,411,339. But $3,043,420 of that amount came from his own pocket through loans he made to the campaign. He still has the opportunity to raise that amount and pay himself back, but that is considered difficult for losing candidates to do.

Rather than try that, GOP contender Dan Moore, who ran a close second to Republican nominee Monty Warner, converted the loans he had made to his campaign to contributions, in essence writing off $825,000.

A retired banker and car dealer, Moore spent nearly $250,000 in the last weeks of the campaign and more than $1.8 million for the entire effort. RMS Strategies of Charleston received more than $100,000 of that, mostly for media purchases, while The Phillips Group of Elkins spent more than $68,000 for direct mailings.

Warner came out of the primary with $22,744 in cash, owing himself nearly $300,000. He spent more than $235,000 in the last month of the campaign and also repaid himself $100,000 he had loaned the effort.

During the period ending in June, Warner raised more than $54,000 from 34 contributions of more than $250. Twenty-two of those contributions, however, were made after his May 11 primary victory. That left him with $22,744 on-hand.

Warner’s November opponent, Manchin, the secretary of state, had not filed his report by Monday, the last day they can be postmarked. Many reports are expected to trickle in over the next few days.

Manchin, however, had raised large sums previously and was not expected to be in the hole.

Not so for some others, including Democratic lawyer Jim Lees, who is owed more than $190,000 by his campaign. Lees spent more than $68,000 in the closing month of the contest and $462,370 for the entire effort.

Republican physician Doug McKinney ended his unsuccessful political foray owing himself $109,719. He spent more than $54,000 in the last month and a total of $247,308 for the contest. Having raised $290,864, he still had more than $43,000 in his campaign coffers.

Fellow GOP contender Richie Robb, the mayor of South Charleston, ended his campaign owing himself $10,330. Robb spent $34,891 in the last month and $55,647 for the total campaign.

Even Rob Capehart, a former official in the Underwood administration, ended up loaning his campaign money at the end. Capehart made a $10,000 loan to the effort, while spending more than $19,000 in the closing month. For the campaign, he raised $119,963 and spent $116,429.

Other gubernatorial candidates who have filed and their expenditures include:

James D. Radcliffe Jr., a Republican who raised and spent $5,581.

Charles G. “Bud” Railey, a Republican who spent $1,290.

Democrat Phillip “Icky” Frye spent and raised $2,563.

Democrat Louis Davis spent $2,261 for his effort, while raising $2,242.

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5192.