With Virginia’s statewide elections for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general drawing ever closer, candidates’ campaign finance reports literally show who has been busy fundraising, but can also offer an early glimpse of their viability in the races.
On Saturday, year-end fundraising reports, covering the second half of last year from July 1st to December 31st, for each statewide candidate were released to the public. The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) compiled the numbers and listed the cash on hand for each candidate.
In the governor’s race, Terry McAuliffe, who is trying to win reelection to the position he once held, has a sizable fundraising advantage over his opponents with $5.5 million cash on hand.
Following in second is former Prince William County Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy who had just under $1.3 million so far. Foy stepped down from the legislature in December to focus on the gubernatorial election. Next is Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond City) with roughly $626,000.
Current Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) had about $70,000, while Del. Lee Carter (D-Manassas), the most recent Democrat to join the contest, had zero cash on hand.
Among Republican candidates, former House Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) had about $342,000, while Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) came in at around $235,000.
In the seemingly more and more crowded race of lieutenant governor, Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) is first with just over $587,000, followed by Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan with $220,000.
Del. Mark Levine (D-Alexandria) had about $200,000; former Fairfax County NAACP president Sean Perryman had $171,000; Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince William) had slightly more than $129,000; Del. Hala Ayala (D-Prince William) had $180,000; lobbyist Xavier Warren had $20,000 and, lastly, former Virginia Democratic Party chairman Paul Goldman had $2,000 in cash on hand.
Between the four Republican lieutenant governor candidates, former delegate Tim Hugo had the most with $92,000, while Northern Virginia consultant Puneet Ahluwalia was second with $41,000. Next is veteran Lance Allen with $25,000 and then Del. Glenn Davis at $13,000.
Among the four attorney general candidates, Mark Herring, who is seeking a third-term in the position, had by far the most cash on hand with roughly $1 million. Del. Jerrauld Jones (D-Norfolk) had $700,000, Del. Jason Miyares (D-Virginia Beach) had about $235,000 and veteran Chuck Smith had $35,000.
Candidates who announced runs of one of the three statewide offices after January 1st were not included, according to VPAP.
Because the General Assembly started last Wednesday and legislators cannot fundraise during session under state law, it will be interesting to see if the non-lawmaker candidates, besides McAuliffe, can increase their totals during this time.
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Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Terry McCauliffe” by Terry McCauliffe and “Jennifer Carroll Foy” is by Jennifer Carroll Foy.
