Women's Super PAC Plays in West Virginia Primary

By Abby Livingston

Posted April 30, 2014 at 3:56pm

Two weeks before the primary, a super PAC that backs Republican women has entered a competitive House race in West Virginia.

Women Lead PAC had endorsed former International Trade Commissioner Charlotte Lane’s bid for the 2nd District in the Mountain State.

The super PAC has put $40,000 into a direct mail effort to boost Lane’s bid before the May 13 primary, according to a source involved. The source added that the group is likely to put more money behind the piece:

Women Lead PAC is one of several groups aiming to increase the number of GOP women in the House .

In fact, this district is one of the reasons House Republicans start off this cycle with a net deficit of women in the conference. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito — one of 19 House Republican women – is running for Senate.

Early voting began on Wednesday for this crowded primary. The top three contenders are Lane, former Maryland GOP Chairman Alex Mooney and pharmacist Ken Reed.

Reed has largely self-funded his campaign, while Mooney has the backing of many national tea party groups.

The likely Democratic nominee, former state Democratic Chairman Nick Casey, is not facing serious competition in his primary.

The race is rated Leans Republican by Rothenberg Political Report.