Patrick Morrisey Using New York City Fundraiser to Help Retire Primary Debt
West Virginia GOP Senate candidate lags in cash on hand for general election
West Virginia Republican Patrick Morrisey is having a fundraiser Monday in New York City with Donald Trump Jr. to help retire the campaign debt from his successful Senate primary run.
Morrisey, the state’s attorney general, is challenging Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III, who’s led in recent polling and had a significant cash on hand advantage at the end of the second quarter. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Tilts Democratic.
On Thursday, a major GOP outside group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pulled its TV advertising in the Mountain State, Politico reported. One Nation had intended to run $750,000 worth of TV and radio ads against Manchin through July 26.
Manchin raised $1.5 million during the second quarter ended June 30, finishing with $6.2 million in the bank, while Morrisey raised $1.3 million over the same period and ended with $895,000, according to figures reported by the campaigns. (Senate candidate reports are not yet available on the Federal Election Commission website.)
The first $2,700 that donors give at the Morrisey fundraiser Monday will go toward retiring his primary campaign debt, which his pre-primary report listed as $320,000 as of April 18.
Morrisey loaned his campaign another $78,000 on April 28, before winning a six-way GOP primary on May 8 with 35 percent of the vote.
The next $2,700 is designated for the general election.
Watch: Democrats Make a Play for West Virginia Congressional Seats
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