Associated Press Published

Indiana Governor Raises Cash for West Virginia GOP Hopeful

Governor_Pence_Official_Headshot_high_Res.jpg

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is raising cash for Republican Bill Cole’s campaign for West Virginia governor.

During Tuesday’s fundraiser in Charleston, Pence praised West Virginia’s passage of right-to-work legislation and legal reforms under Cole, the Senate president.

Cole faces Democratic billionaire businessman Jim Justice.

Pence is in another of the toughest governor’s races in the country against ex-Democratic Indiana House Speaker John Gregg.

Last year, Pence approved a religious objections bill that drew backlash from business. He later signed a bill scaling it back.

Tourism group Visit Indy said Indiana might have lost $60 million when a dozen groups decided against hosting conventions in Indianapolis because of the law.

West Virginia ultimately killed a similar bill this year.

Pence wouldn’t answer a reporter’s question Tuesday about whether West Virginia should reconsider it.