CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Republican John McCain had his best fundraising month in West Virginia so far in July, but it still was not as good as Democrat Barack Obama's.

Mountain State residents gave Obama more than $53,300 for his presidential campaign in July, while McCain's White House bid attracted $51,800.

The month brought Obama's in-state fundraising total above $302,500, compared with $172,700 for McCain.

Obama's latest Federal Election Commission report also shows that a growing number of his West Virginia donors have contributed the per-election maximum of $2,300. That has triggered several refunds.

McCain, meanwhile, will start accepting public financing starting next month. That means he must spend all he's raised by the end of next week's Republican National Convention.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)