State Senator Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) has raised 424.8 percent more money in the last 18 months than in the same period leading up to the previous Senate election cycle, according to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP).
“I’d attribute that to her being in a highly competitive primary this time and building a much stronger public profile for herself,” CNalysis Director Chaz Nuttycombe told The Virginia Star. “She’s got great digital.”
Lucas, who is the president pro tempore in the Senate, was already well-known in Virginia. But after Republicans took control of the House of Delegates and the governor’s mansion, Lucas’ role as the chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee put her in the spotlight as she helped kill multiple high-profile Republican bills on issues like education, COVID-19, and abortion. Lucas also expanded her Twitter presence to over 82,000 followers. She regularly ribs Governor Glenn Youngkin and promises to fight Republican initiatives in the 2023 session.
“What’s driving her Twitter is the incredible backlash to Glenn Youngkin’s administration and her voice that keeps needed balance in Richmond. This is her moment,” said Lucas consultant Ben Tribbett, president of Pocket Aces Consulting. “Others could use the same tools to try to replicate what she has done but they would also need to bring the fire and energy that she has brought to this fight.”
In newly drawn district maps, Lucas was paired with State Senator Lionell Spruill Sr. (D-Chesapeake). Both senators are seeking the Democratic nomination to run in Senate District 18, which regularly votes Democratic, according to estimates from VPAP. From the beginning of 2020 through the end of June 2022, Lucas raised $705,858, while Spruill raised $435,055.
“Spruill’s in trouble, everyone knows it,” Nuttycombe said. “Twitter doesn’t matter but money does.”
Nuttycombe said Spruill needs to improve his fundraising.
“He’s got time on his side, he can still build a winning campaign before the primary, it’s a long ways away,” he said.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Louise Lucas” by Louise Lucas. Background Photo “Virginia Capitol” by Martin Kraft. CC BY 3.0.
