W.Va. 2012 races featured $6M from candidates' personal wealth

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A handful of West Virginia candidates together plowed more than $6.3 million from their personal wealth toward their election bids this year, although it didn't assure victory, a review of state and federal filings shows.

Republican Bill Maloney led the self-financing with $1.8 million toward his second failed bid for governor in as many years. He had given his 2011 campaign, when the office was up for an unexpired term, nearly $2.5 million. The Morgantown drilling consultant and business owner lost each time to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, a Democrat who relied solely on campaign contributions in both races.