CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Jay Wolfe has already raised more cash than the two primary election opponents of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, but the amount is minute compared to the incumbent's.

"That's what you expected," said Wolfe, a former state senator from Harrison County making his second race against Rockefeller, a four-term incumbent and former governor.

Wolfe reported being $13 in the hole at the end of June. Rockefeller reported having $3.3 million.

Wolfe has raised $42,149 since becoming the only Republican willing to challenge Rockefeller. He's been spending it all.

In the May primary election, Sheirl Fletcher, one of Rockefeller's two opponents, also went in the hole. Fletcher reported raising $11,997 and ending the campaign by spending $151 more than that. His other opponent, Billy Hendricks of Whitesville, reported no expenses.

Wolfe is running into some reluctance among potential donors.

"Even some Republicans have said, 'Whoa, I don't want my name on that list,'" he said Tuesday.

Wolfe's not certain it actually matters how much he can spend compared to Rockefeller, the heir of multimillions.

He is betting his campaign on the nation's energy problems and getting the incumbent to debate.

In the next couple of weeks, he plans to challenge the senator to 55 debates - one in each county - but would probably settle for fewer.

"What we're trying to get him to talk about is the issues," Wolfe said.

There was no debating six years ago. Rockefeller won that race by collecting 67 percent of the vote. At the same time, he outspent Wolfe $2.2 million to $136,935.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Jay Wolfe has already raised more cash than the two primary election opponents of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, but the amount is minute compared to the incumbent's.

"That's what you expected," said Wolfe, a former state senator from Harrison County making his second race against Rockefeller, a four-term incumbent and former governor.

Wolfe reported being $13 in the hole at the end of June. Rockefeller reported having $3.3 million.

Wolfe has raised $42,149 since becoming the only Republican willing to challenge Rockefeller. He's been spending it all.

In the May primary election, Sheirl Fletcher, one of Rockefeller's two opponents, also went in the hole. Fletcher reported raising $11,997 and ending the campaign by spending $151 more than that. His other opponent, Billy Hendricks of Whitesville, reported no expenses.

Wolfe is running into some reluctance among potential donors.

"Even some Republicans have said, 'Whoa, I don't want my name on that list,'" he said Tuesday.

Wolfe's not certain it actually matters how much he can spend compared to Rockefeller, the heir of multimillions.

He is betting his campaign on the nation's energy problems and getting the incumbent to debate.

In the next couple of weeks, he plans to challenge the senator to 55 debates - one in each county - but would probably settle for fewer.

"What we're trying to get him to talk about is the issues," Wolfe said.

There was no debating six years ago. Rockefeller won that race by collecting 67 percent of the vote. At the same time, he outspent Wolfe $2.2 million to $136,935.

"Surely, every six years he could come forward and debate his positions," Wolfe said.

Wolfe has billboards in 22 counties that say, "Gas too high? Thank Rockefeller. He blocks drilling."

He hopes to have one of the 16-by-36-foot billboards in each of the state's 55 counties.

"This coming Saturday, a crew of us will be putting one up on Route 50 in Doddridge County," he said.

Volunteers in Berkeley County are helping place one there, too.

It's a jab at Rockefeller refusing to vote for drilling oil in places considered environmentally sensitive, such as the Alaska wildlife region.

Tuesday, Wolfe had just picked up a batch of bumper stickers that say, "Drill now. Wolfe, U.S. Senate." He planned to make the first distribution of those at the ongoing Cabell County Fair.

"I need to get more support in the southern part of the state," he said.

He spent last weekend going door-to-door in predominantly Democratic Calhoun County, and said when he speaks with residents face-to-face they agree with him.

"I think most West Virginians, if you communicate the issues with them, they're with me," the insurance agent said.

Reach Tom Searls at tomsea...@wvgazette.com or call 348-5198.