The race for the Republican nomination for West Virginia attorney general is a tight one between Auditor J.B. McCuskey and state Senator Mike Stuart, although there’s a major segment of undecided voters too.
The latest version of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll shows 37% for McCuskey, 36% for Stuart and 27 percent of voters still describing themselves as “not sure.”
“That’s still anybody’s race to win based on the data and based on the awareness of the two candidates,” said Rex Repass, president of Research America, which conducts the West Virginia Poll.
McCuskey is a two-term state auditor and former state delegate from Charleston. His father was a state Supreme Court justice in 1998.
Stuart is a current state senator from Kanawha County, a former federal prosecutor in West Virginia’s southern district and a former state Republican Party chairman.
MORE: McCuskey, Stuart square off in Republican Primary for Attorney General
The West Virginia Poll did not ask voters for their views on the Democratic candidates, Teresa Toriseva of Wheeling and Richie Robb of South Charleston.
Voting is already underway. The early voting period for the primary election started on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, May 11. West Virginia’s primary election is May 14.
The West Virginia poll was built on 407 completed surveys conducted online and by telephone from April 24 to May 1. Respondents were screened and qualified as registered Republicans and independents who plan to request a Republican ballot for the May 14 primary. Participants described high interest in the primary election and said they are likely to vote.
Respondents in all 55 West Virginia counties were included in the West Virginia Poll, which is sponsored by The Health Plan.
The overall confidence interval was +/- 4.9 percentage points.
Taking note of the poll’s screening for likely voters, Repass said the number of people undecided on the attorney general race is still high.
“It’s one point – 37-36 and 27 percent undecided – and that’s with asking undecideds one question previously how are they leaning,” Repass said.
“Without the leaners, the undecided is over 40 percent – but they’re still essentially tied.”
McCuskey, who was originally running for governor, has an advantage in fundraising dollars available for his campaign.
The most recent campaign finance reports filed with the secretary of state showed McCuskey way ahead of Stuart in fundraising and spending.
Stuart’s campaign has raised $113,176 since the race started and has spent $97,404, according to the finance reports.
McCuskey’s campaign has raised $1,071,787 since the race started and has spent $823,018, according to the finance reports.
“I would think that J.B. McCuskey has the advantage there, just because he has run and won statewide races before. But I realize Mike Stuart has been active of late,” Repass said.
Of McCuskey’s track record, Repass described “a reasonable assumption that would help him going forward, but yet to be determined.”