Big spending differences between candidates in three local state Senate races

Jul. 17—MORGANTOWN — In three local state Senate races, one was very likely decided in an expensive primary. In another, an unopposed candidate saw a challenger emerge after the primary. An in the third, the supermajority incumbent faces a third-party challenger operating, so far, on a bit less than a shoestring.

Here is a look at their campaign finances, from their 2nd Quarter reports covering April 29-June 30.

2nd District Republican Chris Rose has no challenger to date. He defeated incumbent Senate Health chair Mike Maroney, 61.34 % to 38.66 %, although Maroney had spent 14 times more money.

Rose received $8, 768.60 during the quarter and gave his campaign $208.65 in-kind, He spent $23, 949.27, leaving a balance of $3, 560.82 going into the third quarter, which runs through Sept. 30.

His year-to-date totals were $69, 338.99 raised and $78, 231.92 spent. He lent his campaign $20, 000.

Maroney does not have a 2nd Quarter report on file. At the end of the previous period he had a balance of $34, 298.49 and had year-to-date totals of $215, 919.44 raised and $1, 164, 255.23 spent (about 14 times what Rose spent). He had donated $44, 109.72 to his campaign.

13th District This in an open seat. Incumbent Democrat Mike Caputo chose not to seek reelection. Marion County Democratic Delegate Joey Garcia will face Republican Rebecca Polis.

Original GOP candidate Jonathan Board suspended his campaign in March after he was named executive director of the West Virginia First Foundation, which is overseeing the distribution of opioid suit settlement money. Polis filed to run on July 8.

Garcia received $18, 352 during the quarter and spent $6, 064.04, leaving a balance of $121, 087.78. His year-to-date totals were $142, 065.62 raised and $20, 977.84 spent. He donated $23, 350 to his campaign.

Given her recent filing, Polis has no finance documents posted.

14th District Incumbent Republican Senate Energy chair Randy Smith will face Mountain Party candidate Betsy Orndoff-Sayers. No Democrat is running.

Smith raised $2, 900 during the quarter and spent $5, 341.96, leaving a balance of $56, 111.86. His year-to-date totals were $164, 468.77 raised and $108, 356.91 spent. He donated $500 to his campaign.

Orndoff-Sayers raised and spent nothing, leaving a balance of $350. She gave her campaign $510.28 in-kind. Her year-to-date totals were $1, 130.09 raised and $230.45 spent (by comparison, Smith spent 470 times more).

She donated a total $635.02 to her campaign.

Email: dbeard @dominionpost.com