Justice Campaign Spends $5M in Governor's Race

Updated campaign finance reports show West Virginia Gov.-elect Jim Justice spent $5.1 million in his mostly self-funded winning campaign as a Democrat.

Justice, owner of coal mines, the Greenbrier resort and other businesses, defeated Republican Bill Cole.

Reports show Cole’s campaign spent $2.8 million and got another $3.7 million in support from the national Republican governors’ association that bought television ads attacking Justice.

Post-election records show Justice received $1.6 million from campaign donors while personally lending his campaign $3.8 million.

Another $72,000 for in-kind expenses is attributed to the Greenbrier, where Justice hosted an election-night celebration.

Cole’s campaign records show the Senate president and owner of car dealerships received $2.3 million in donations and loaned his effort $625,000.

Cole will leave the Senate post in January.