West Virginia: Capito Raises $915,000 for Senate Bid
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has kicked off her Senate campaign with strong fundraising, bringing in $915,000 in her first full quarter as a statewide candidate.
Capito will report having $2.35 million in cash on hand, according to her consultant John Brabender.
Capito is running to replace Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who will retire in 2014. The Mountain State’s open-seat race is expected to be one of this cycle’s most targeted. Senate Republicans must net six seats to win the majority in 2014.
No Democrat has announced they will try to run in Rockefeller’s stead, but party officials mention attorney Nick Preservati and attorney Ralph Baxter as potential candidates. Also, Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., indicated he is interested in running but has yet to announce a final decision about the race.
If Rahall runs, he will likely face a massive fundraising deficit compared to Capito. He reported having $110,000 in the bank at the end of December.
Rahall has not filed his first quarter fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission. It is not due until mid-April.