A political messaging campaign meant to tilt the balance of the state Senate among Republican factions has a link to the governor.
The video campaign against veteran Senator Tom Takubo was produced by a political action committee associated with West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith. Takubo, who used to be the Senate majority leader, competed last year against Smith to be president of the body.
It’s unusual for members of the same political party in the same chamber to so directly and publicly oppose each other in electoral races. Both Takubo and Smith are Republican senators, so theoretically they are on the same team.
The election results could capsize Smith’s leadership, result in Takubo’s rise — or maintain the status quo. Smith is not up for election this cycle, but several members of his base of support will be on the ballot. Takubo has a primary challenge against Chris Pritt, a former delegate.
The ad focuses on a bill that passed the state Legislature in 2021, “The Save Women’s Sports Act.” The policy, signed into law, requires public school and collegiate athletic teams to be designated based on biological sex.
“Mountaineer Conservative Coalition Inc,” which has been described in fundraising materials as a leadership PAC representing Smith’s political interests, produced the advertisement.
There is also a connection to Gov. Patrick Morrisey, but it’s not easy to find.
“Mountaineer Conservative Coalition Inc,” a non-profit political action committee, is incorporated in Delaware.
The Secretary of State’s Office in Delaware doesn’t provide the identification of corporate officers up front. So you can’t tell who is behind such an organization without asking for more information.
But incorporation documents obtained by MetroNews show that “Mountaineer Conservative Coalition” was incorporated by representatives of Dickinson Wright, a national law firm with offices in Washington D.C. and other locations across the nation.
Dickinson Wright has provided legal services to the political campaigns for Patrick Morrisey, a Republican who is West Virginia’s governor, and it has been involved in incorporating other organizations associated with him. Lawyers from Dickinson Wright’s D.C.-area office have worked with Morrisey’s campaigns since at least 2020.
Lawyers at Dickinson Wright filed the paperwork to incorporate “The 1925 Fund,” a nonprofit organization that received a $125,000 donation from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey’s inaugural committee, according to reporting by Mountain State Spotlight.
And in 2024, when a car sales company owned by Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Miller filed a federal lawsuit against Morrisey’s campaign, a political action committee, accusing them of copyright infringement, Dickinson Wright was involved on behalf of Morrisey 2024, Inc.
“Mountaineer Conservative Coalition Inc.” was incorporated last June and put out calls to raise funds the following month. A fundraiser in Morgantown asked for a $25,000 donation.
Fundraiser organizers, particularly the West Virginia Coal Association, expressed appreciation for the positions that Smith, a former coal miner, had taken in support of the industry.
“Of note, there is a formidable challenge underway to Randy’s leadership position from a faction of the State Senate that does not share the same level of appreciation for coal that Randy and his team possess,” wrote coal association President Chris Hamilton in an announcement of the fundraiser.
“That’s why it is important to support Randy now to provide his team with the political support and wherewithal to prevail in 2026 and keep control of the State Senate.”