Let's see -- West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin already has the name recognition.  He has yet to file his first campaign finance report this cycle (it's not due until Friday) but I'm guessing he's going to have a nice advantage in the money category as well.

His opponent on the Democratic ticket, Delegate Mel Kessler, reports only a few donations to his campaign totaling $450.  Kessler has loaned his campaign $10,000.

On the Republican side, former WV Senator Russ Weeks claims $4,375 in contributions thus far, with a grand coming from himself.  Weeks pointed out to WSAZ's Amanda Barren last week that he spent $12,000 in his successful run for the state senate to his opponent's $124,000.

The final reports need to be postmarked by no later than Friday.  The logical thinking is that Manchin, who has been raising money for some time, will come in with a higher bank.

No other statewide candidates had filed as of my last check of the WV Secretary of State's website.

Check it out for yourself at http://www.wv.gov/Offsite.aspx?u=http://www.wvsos.com.  Let me know what you find out!  I will be sharing my thoughts too as the finance reports arrive.