CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – After supporting only Democrats last election, a casino-fueled group has given $25,000 to a big-money conservative organization.
Campaign finance reports show West Virginia First gave Go West Virginia the January donation after Republican gains last election.
West Virginia First raised $615,500, almost entirely from companies running 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 The Greenbrier resort.
The group spent $431,400 backing Democrats.
Go West Virginia helped fuel another group, Grow WV Inc., which spent $1.4 million aiding Republicans last election.
Go West Virginia held a January $25,000-per-plate dinner, and canceled a March $100,000-a-plate breakfast.
A West Virginia First representative declined comment.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
