Tish Chafin is one of six Democrats eyeing spot on Supreme Court
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic Supreme Court Candidate Tish Chafin will loan her campaign $1 million, she told supporters Thursday.
Chafin, of Charleston, is married to Sen. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, and plans to draw on their wealth during the campaign to distinguish herself in a crowded Democratic primary field.
Six Democrats are vying for two spots on the court.
In a message to supporters Thursday, Chafin said, "People across West Virginia have already invested tens of thousands of dollars in my candidacy."
"Just as my supporters strongly believe in my integrity, ability and willingness to work hard for West Virginia, I wanted to show my commitment to serving West Virginia and its highest court by making this financial investment," Chafin said in the message.
She has never held an elected office before.
She also told supporters that the campaign has "secured one of the top Democratic pollsters in the nation this week."
She said the name of the pollster would be announced "in the next several days."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic Supreme Court Candidate Tish Chafin will loan her campaign $1 million, she told supporters Thursday.
Chafin, of Charleston, is married to Sen. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, and plans to draw on their wealth during the campaign to distinguish herself in a crowded Democratic primary field.
Six Democrats are vying for two spots on the court.
In a message to supporters Thursday, Chafin said, "People across West Virginia have already invested tens of thousands of dollars in my candidacy."
"Just as my supporters strongly believe in my integrity, ability and willingness to work hard for West Virginia, I wanted to show my commitment to serving West Virginia and its highest court by making this financial investment," Chafin said in the message.
She has never held an elected office before.
She also told supporters that the campaign has "secured one of the top Democratic pollsters in the nation this week."
She said the name of the pollster would be announced "in the next several days."
Chafin said attorney Cynthia Majestro has been brought on board as campaign manager.
The Democratic field includes incumbent Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis, who also has considerable wealth and spent $360,000 on her campaign in the 2000 Supreme Court race, according to campaign finance records maintained by the nonprofit National Institute on Money in State Politics.
Circuit Court Judges J.D. Beane and Jim Rowe and lawyers Louis Palmer and H. John Rogers also are vying for the two Democratic Party nominations.
Only two Republicans are running, meaning the two winning Democrats are certain to face Circuit Court Judge John Yoder and attorney Alan Loughry in the fall general election.
Loughry told MetroNews this week that he has qualified for public funding to use on his campaign under the pilot program in place for this year's state Supreme Court race.
He said he has raised $35,000 from enough contributors to qualify him for public dollars to bring his total resources to at least $50,000 for the primary election and at least $350,000 for the general election.
Davis' term is ending, accounting for one of the open seats. The other open seat is currently held by Justice Thomas McHugh, who is not seeking re-election.
