Republicans Welcome Blankenship

Why would Don Blankenship pledge to spend millions of dollars trying to influence the outcome of an election in the state of West Virginia?  2006 was the third straight election in which he has used his considerable resources.

And why did the state Republican Party go along with his efforts?

What follows are a few reasons why Republicans may be so willing to go along with him.

Rob Capehart, immediate past chairman of the state Republican Party, previously said, "The Republican Party welcomes Don Blankenship's political activism. He is respected for taking a strong posture on policies important to West Virginia's future."

Just before Election Day in November 2002, Blankenship gave the state Republican party $100,000 to pay for roughly half the cost of a new state party headquarters in South Charleston, wrote Gary Abernathy, former spokesman for the state party, in his new book, "Elephant Wars."

Charleston Gazette, 8/21/2005

 "I wish we had a few more Don Blankenships' to back the Republican party . . . We're working parallel with him."  WV Republican Party Chairman Doug McKinney

Beckley Register Herald, 8/25/2006

Don Blankenship's Involvement in Republican Legislative Races in 2006http://www.wvsos.com/elections/cfreports/

Don Blankenship's Involvement in Republican Legislative Races in 2004

The following Republican candidates have reported on their state finance reports, that they have received $1,000 contributions from Mr. Blankenship.

State Senate:

Mike Hall - 4th
Tom Scott - 5th  (Scott reports that he has returned the donation, click the link below for the story)
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060901/NEWS01/609010333/1001/NEWS10
Mark Plants - 8^th

Harold Sigler - 11th
Dave Sypolt - 14th  
Jerry Mays - 16^th

Ann Calvert - 17th

House of Delegates:

Scott Reed - 3rd
Lynwood Ireland - 7th
Larry Border - 9^th

Mitch Carmichael - 12^th

Penny Dick - 13th
Troy Andes - 14th

Carol Miller - 15^th

Kelli Sobonya - 16^th

Greg Howard - 16^th

Luiza Peana - 17th

Jack Fincham - 22nd

Jon Hall - 25^th

Mike Porter - 25^th

Duane Miller - 26th
Linda Sumner - 27th
Phillip Stevens - 27th
Frank Tuckwiller - 28th
Fred Joseph - 30th
Phil Raines - 30th
Kim Holmes - 30^th

Judy Romano - 30^th

Mike Stuart - 30^th

Charles Minimah - 31st
Patrick Lane - 32^nd

Bruce Haddix 37th
Gary Tenney - 40^th
Danny Hamrick - 41st
Jeff Tansill - 42nd 
Rick Starn - 43rd
Chuck Mullett - 43rd
Cindy Frich - 44^th

Brian Louk - 44th

Jim Manilla - 44th

Debbie Stevens - 46th
Ruth Rowan - 50th
Daryl Cowles - 51st

Craig Blair - 52^nd

Jonathan Miller - 53^rd

Earl Wilbourne - 53rd
Bob Murto - 57th
Bob Adams - 58th

Bundled checks from business associates and suppliers to Massey Energy

Contributed more than $102,500 to 8 Republican Senate Campaigns

Contributed more than $85,000 to 22 Republican House Races

The Players

The Addington Family/AEI Resources

                   Bruce, Larry and Robert Addington

Brake Supply Company

                   Thomas Ashby

Cline Enterprises

                   Chris and Clayton Cline

Conveyor Service Corporation

                   Troy Dolan

Golden Chance Mining

                   Kersten and Marcus Mende

Hurley Family 

          Barbara, Eddie, James and Tina Hurley

Mayo Manufacturing

          David, Jewell, Mason, Perfidia and Steve Mayo

Nelson Brothers       

          Gary Self, VP and Ralph Hymer, CFO

Powell Construction

          James Powell

Rogers Petroleum

          Bobbie, Ernest and James Rogers

SR Smith

Young Brothers Electric

          Billy Ray, Charles and Christopher

2004 Republican Senate Races

Amount contributed and percentage of candidate's budget

5th Senate - Stephen Hall - $9500 - 76%

8th Senate - Vic Sprouse - $21,500 - 7%

9th Senate - Jack Fincham - $7500 - 39%

10th Senate - Don Caruth - $17,000 - 19%

12th Senate - Stephen Weaver - $8,000 - 96%

14th Senate - David Sypolt - $17,000 - 33%

16th Senate - John Yoder - $12,200 - 27%

17th Senate - Rusty Webb - $11,000 - 11%

http://www.wvsos.com/elections/cfreports/ 

2004 Republican House Races

Amount contributed and percentage of candidate's budget

4th House - Ronald Morris - $1,000 - 16%

13th House - Jack McLane - $1,000 - 13%

15th House - Dennis Barry - $5,000 - 33%

                    Carol Miller - $5,000 - 20%

16th House - Kelly Sobonya - $1,000 - 4%

22nd House - Brandon Blaylock - $1,000 - 7%

27th House - Linda Sumner - $2,000 - 9%

30th House - Ann Calvert - $5,000 - 16%

                    Phil Raines - $7,000 - 28%

                    Brad Simms    - $7,000 - 19%

                   Jerry Summers - $9,000 52%

31st House - Charles Minimah - $3,000 - 31%

40th House - William Wright - $1,000 - 14%

41st House - William Griffith - $2,000 - 8%

42nd House - Jeff Tansill - $1,000 - 16%

44th House - Cindy Frich - $2,000 - 5%

46th House - Debbie Stevens - $3500 - 35%

53rd House - Vic Roberts - $2,000 - 18%

56th House - Jim Whitacre - $1,000 - 13%

57th House - Robert Murto - $8,000 - 61%

58th House - Suzanne Morgan - $10,000 - 35%

http://www.wvsos.com/elections/cfreports/