Fundraising reports for statewide candidates in Virginia, which hosts several key elections this year, were due on Tuesday, giving us our first look at the finances of the leading candidates in quite some time. The new filings cover the entire second half of 2016, during which Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam led the field of gubernatorial contenders. Northam and his allied PAC combined to raise $1.6 million from July 1 through Dec. 31 of last year and together have $2.5 million on hand.
Meanwhile, the top Republican in the race, former RNC chief Ed Gillespie, pulled in $1.5 million along with his PAC and has just under $2 million in the bank. These sums were, however, compiled in very different ways. Grotesquely, Virginia has absolutely no limits on campaign contributions, and Gillespie took full advantage: His campaign took in monetary donations from just 532 donors (including a $1.1 million transfer from his PAC). Northam's campaign, by contrast, received 5,828 separate contributions during the same timeframe—over 10 times as many. That kind of grassroots support can make a big difference, especially when it comes time to mobilize volunteers on the ground.
As for the three other Republicans running, they raised much less money. Corey Stewart, the chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, brought in $505,000, but $378,000 of that was transferred from his supervisor campaign account, meaning only $127,000 came from new donations; he has $402,000 left. State Sen. Frank Wagner reported raising $451,000, but similarly, $200,000 was from his Senate fund, so he really only took in $251,000 in new money and now has $372,000 on hand. Finally, distillery owner Denver Riggleman, who got in late last year, has under $30,000 in the bank.
As for Democratic ex-Rep. Tom Perriello, he only joined the contest earlier this month, so it'll be some time before we get a handle of his fundraising abilities.