Republican U.S. Senate Primary Campaign Finance Numbers Released for Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney

The Republican U.S. Senate primary campaigns for Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney have released their candidates’ second quarter finance numbers, revealing interesting insights into their fundraising efforts.

According to reports, Gov. Jim Justice’s campaign has raised over $935,000 since he announced his candidacy in late April, while Rep. Alex Mooney’s campaign reported raising $550,000 in the second quarter of 2023. Mooney’s camp also disclosed that they currently have $1.5 million cash on hand, while Justice’s team reported over $800,000 cash on hand entering the third fundraising quarter.

The release of these finance numbers has sparked discussions among political analysts, with West Virginia University’s Political Science Department Chair John Kilwein noting that the amounts raised were closer than expected. Kilwein expressed surprise at Justice’s fundraising numbers, given his popularity and support from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

Both campaigns highlighted different aspects of their fundraising efforts in their press releases. Justice’s campaign emphasized the support from individual donors, with 93 percent giving less than $100, while Mooney’s campaign touted the endorsement and fundraising support from Club for Growth Action and Protect Freedom PAC.

Kilwein suggested that the contrasting narratives in the press releases could be strategic moves to appeal to different voter demographics. He pointed out that Mooney may be targeting fiscally conservative voters with big donations, while Justice is leveraging his popularity and broad support across the state.

The upcoming primary election in May 2024 will see Justice and Mooney as the leading Republican candidates, with incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin expected to announce his future political intentions in December. Despite West Virginia being a red state, Kilwein cautioned that the general election may not be a cakewalk for the Republican candidate, as Manchin’s unique charm and political experience could pose a challenge.

As the race heats up, both Justice and Mooney will need to navigate the complexities of fundraising, messaging, and voter appeal to secure their spot in the U.S. Senate. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving political landscape.