West Virginia Casino Group Switches Loyalties

Sun, Apr 26, 2015

During the 2014 elections, the casino-backed group West Virginia First gave $431,400 to Democratic candidates. But following Republicans gains, West Virginia First aligned itself with the Republican-friendly Go West Virginia, which helped Grow WV Inc. distribute $1.4 million to Republicans.

The casino-backed group West Virginia First gave 1,400 exclusively to Democrats in the 2014 elections. Contributors included Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in Chester, Mardi Gras West Virginia Casino & Hotel in Cross Lanes, Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack and billionaire coal executive Jim Justice’s Greenbrier resort, according to campaign finance reports.

However, in January, following Republican gains in the last election, West Virginia First gave $615,500 to the Republican-backed Go West Virginia, which aided Grow WV Inc. with distribution of $1.4 million helping to elect Republicans in the last election. Go West Virginia held a January $25,000-per-plate dinner but canceled a March $100,000-a-plate breakfast.

**GGBNews.com is part of the Clarion Events Group of companies (Clarion). We take your privacy seriously. By registering for this newsletter we wish to use your information on the basis of our legitimate interests to keep in contact with you about other relevant events, products and services which may be of interest to you. We will only ever use the information we collect or receive about you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may manage your preferences or unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.