Associated Press Published

Delegate McCuskey to Challenge W.Va. Auditor Gainer

mccuskey_john.jpg

 Republican state Del. JB McCuskey will challenge Democratic West Virginia Auditor Glen Gainer in 2016.

McCuskey announced his auditor bid Tuesday at the Capitol.

The Charleston attorney won his House of Delegates seat in 2012 and was re-elected last year.

Gainer has opened an account to raise re-election money.

Gainer first won the four-year auditor job in 1992 and was subsequently re-elected.

He retained the seat after losing a congressional challenge against Republican Rep. David McKinley last year.

There are no term limits for state auditor.

In other statewide races, Senate President Bill Cole is the GOP’s lead candidate for governor. Billionaire Jim Justice and Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler are running on the Democratic side.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is seeking re-election and doesn’t have a Democratic challenger yet.