Helmick leads W.Va. primary candidates in campaign fundraising

April 11, 2010|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD

File photo,

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- State Sen. Walt Helmick has raised more than $79,000 for his re-election bid this year and is leading all primary candidates for Eastern Panhandle seats in the West Virginia Legislature in campaign fundraising, according to a review of the first campaign financial statements for the 2010 election.

Most of the Pocahontas County Democrat's campaign war chest was raised at two fundraisers last fall in the Charleston, W.Va., area, where he raised $67,215, according to Helmick's statement.

Helmick, 65, who is seeking election to a sixth four-year term and represents all of Morgan County and part of Berkeley County in the Senate's 15th District, is considered one of the Legislature's most powerful lawmakers as Finance Committee chairman.

Helmick's campaign received $52,965 in contributions at a Nov. 10 fundraiser at the Charleston Marriott and $14,250 at an October event at West Virginia Paving Inc. in Dunbar, W.Va., according to his financial statement.

In the 16th District, state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley/Jefferson, filed a waiver, reporting no contributions, but his 2009 annual report indicated he had $70,029 from his last campaign.

Unger's primary opponent, Pat Murphy, reported a total of $1,725 in contributions, including $1,540 in in-kind contributions.

Republican Del. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, reported $875 in contributions in his bid for Unger's seat.

In other races, candidates reported the following contributions:

51st District

Del. Daryl E. Cowles, R-Morgan/Hampshire -- $2,320, including $1,720 from his previous campaign
Mountain Party candidate Robin Mills of Rio, W.Va. -- filed a waiver, reporting no contributions
Democrat Alton E. Wolfe Jr. of Paw Paw, W.Va. -- no report on file

52nd District
Democrat Mike Roberts of Hedgesville, W.Va. -- $2,900
Republican Larry D. Kump of Hedgesville -- $1,025

53rd District
Del. Jonathan Miller, R-Berkeley -- $10,345, including $2,554 from his previous campaign and $291 in personal, in-kind contributions
Democrat Robert V. "Bob" Mills of Martinsburg, W.Va. -- $6,956, including $2,812 in personal, in-kind contributions

54th District
Del. Walter E. Duke, R-Berkeley -- $13,063, including $11,313 from his previous campaign
Democrat M. Jason Barrett of Martinsburg -- $1,900

55th District
Del. John Overington, R-Berkeley -- $4,811, including $4,761 from his previous campaign
Democrat Donn Marshall of Martinsburg -- $20,709, including $11,100 in personal contributions

56th District
Del. Terry L. Walker, D-Jefferson -- $1,250
Republican Eric L. Householder of Martinsburg -- $8,470, including $1,400 in personal contributions

57th District
Del. John Doyle, D-Jefferson -- $4,000, including $1,000 of his own money
Democrat Lori Rea of Shepherdstown, W.Va. -- $12,362
Republican Elliot Simon of Harpers Ferry, W.Va. -- $2,420, including $1,370 in personal contributions
Republican Donny Jones of Shepherdstown -- no report on file

58th District
Del. Tiffany E. Lawrence, D-Jefferson -- $14,493, including $9,110 from her previous campaign
Republican Blake Thompson of Charles Town, W.Va. -- reported no contributions