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Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Democrats in Virginia have a hefty fundraising advantage heading into November general election
RICHMOND, Va. — Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in a November election that is seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA spy turned congresswoman, has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her GOP opponent for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has struggled to draw support from her fellow Republicans. Both were unopposed for their party's nominations and were able to focus on the fall general election without having to overcome a challenge in this week's primaries . The match-up means Virginia is all but certain to elect the state's first female governor. Spanberger has amassed $6.5 million toward her campaign for governor over the last two months after raising $6.7 million between January and March, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Combined with the money Spanberger raised in 2024, she has gathered $22.8 million and still has $14.3 million in her coffers. Earle-Sears, meanwhile, spent more than she earned between April and June , bringing in $3.5 million and spending $4.6 million. Between January and March, she also raised a little over $3.1 million. In total, she has raked in nearly $9.2 million since launching her campaign last September. Now, she has a little under $3 million in the bank, according to Virginia Public Access Project data. In a statement, Earle-Sears' campaign said the candidate is putting forward a message for Virginians that money can't buy. 'Clearly the Spanberger campaign needs a lot of help attempting to erase Abigail's bad voting record on issues that actually matter to Virginians,' press secretary Peyton Vogel said in an email. 'This race isn't being bought — it's being built on a message that matters.' Virginia is one of two states, along with New Jersey, that host statewide elections this year. The contests will be closely watched as a measure of whether voters in the shadow of Washington will embrace President Donald Trump's aggressive effort to overhaul the federal government, or be repelled by it. Democrats' outsized fundraising lead ahead of the primaries may reflect local Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push people to the polls in light of Trump being in office. Mark J. Rozell, dean of George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, also referenced the noticeable frostiness among leading state Republicans. The party's statewide nominees have yet to campaign together, despite securing their nominations at the end of April. 'Enthusiasm drives fundraising and in Virginia right now the Democrats' voting base has much greater enthusiasm' than Republicans, Rozell said. 'It is reminiscent of Trump's first term in office when Democratic fundraising and ultimately voting overwhelmed the Republicans in Virginia.' Money does not guarantee success, however. In the last Virginia governor's race, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe outspent Republican Glenn Youngkin, who had invested $20 million of his own money in the race. Youngkin still clinched the election by nearly two points. Youngkin, who is term-limited from seeking reelection, has offered more than $21,000 in support to Earle-Sears through his political action committee. When asked whether he would donate more, his PAC responded, 'Governor Youngkin is working to elect the entire GOP ticket and is urging all Virginians to support the commonsense team this November to keep Virginia winning.' The Democrats' fundraising advantage isn't confined to the governor's race. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi , who eked out a primary win in a close three-way contest for lieutenant governor, raised nearly $1.8 million in her primary race and has $462,000 remaining. The Republican nominee, conservative talk-radio host John Reid , raised nearly $312,000 since launching his campaign and has $116,000 remaining. The only statewide GOP candidate with a fundraising lead, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, has $2.3 million in the bank after raising a total of $4.6 million. His Democratic opponent, Jay Jones, has raised $2.7 million . He had about $493,000 left at the beginning of June, reports show. This year, all three Democratic statewide candidates are backed by Clean Virginia, a political group that pushes for clean energy and often takes on legislative challenges against Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility. The two groups are some of the most influential entities lobbying on state politics and policy. With energy demand likely to be a key issue in November, their influence could be significant. According to the nonpartisan public-access group, Spanberger has taken in $465,000 from the environmental organization. On Tuesday, Clean Virginia endorsed Hashmi's candidacy for lieutenant governor, following its previous donations to her state Senate campaign committee. During his campaign, Jones also received $1.5 million from Clean Virginia, while his primary opponent, Democrat Shannon Taylor, accepted $800,000 from Dominion Energy between 2024 and 2025. Clean Virginia released attack ads targeting Taylor for accepting Dominion money. The energy utility has become entangled in other statewide battles. On the Republican ticket, Earle-Sears accepted $50,000 from Dominion in March. Miyares also gained $450,000 from the utility so far this year. Clean Virginia has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including to candidates running for the House of Delegates , where all 100 members are up for reelection in November. Democrats who control the legislature are hoping to keep or expand their thin majority and amend the state's Constitution to protect rights to voting, marriage equality and abortion. Democratic candidates have raised about $16.9 million in those races, with $3.2 million stemming from House Speaker Don Scott. Meanwhile, Republicans have raised $8.8 million, with former Minority Leader Todd Gilbert earning over $643,000, and newly tapped Minority Leader Terry Kilgore raising nearly $470,000. ——— Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Democrats in Virginia have a hefty fundraising advantage heading into November general election
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in a November election that is seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA spy turned congresswoman, has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her GOP opponent for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has struggled to draw support from her fellow Republicans. Both were unopposed for their party's nominations and were able to focus on the fall general election without having to overcome a challenge in this week's primaries. The match-up means Virginia is all but certain to elect the state's first female governor. Spanberger has amassed $6.5 million toward her campaign for governor over the last two months after raising $6.7 million between January and March, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Combined with the money Spanberger raised in 2024, she has gathered $22.8 million and still has $14.3 million in her coffers. Earle-Sears, meanwhile, spent more than she earned between April and June, bringing in $3.5 million and spending $4.6 million. Between January and March, she also raised a little over $3.1 million. In total, she has raked in nearly $9.2 million since launching her campaign last September. Now, she has a little under $3 million in the bank, according to Virginia Public Access Project data. In a statement, Earle-Sears' campaign said the candidate is putting forward a message for Virginians that money can't buy. 'Clearly the Spanberger campaign needs a lot of help attempting to erase Abigail's bad voting record on issues that actually matter to Virginians,' press secretary Peyton Vogel said in an email. 'This race isn't being bought — it's being built on a message that matters.' Virginia is one of two states, along with New Jersey, that host statewide elections this year. The contests will be closely watched as a measure of whether voters in the shadow of Washington will embrace President Donald Trump's aggressive effort to overhaul the federal government, or be repelled by it. Democrats' outsized fundraising lead ahead of the primaries may reflect local Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push people to the polls in light of Trump being in office. Mark J. Rozell, dean of George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, also referenced the noticeable frostiness among leading state Republicans. The party's statewide nominees have yet to campaign together, despite securing their nominations at the end of April. 'Enthusiasm drives fundraising and in Virginia right now the Democrats' voting base has much greater enthusiasm' than Republicans, Rozell said. 'It is reminiscent of Trump's first term in office when Democratic fundraising and ultimately voting overwhelmed the Republicans in Virginia.' Money does not guarantee success, however. In the last Virginia governor's race, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe outspent Republican Glenn Youngkin, who had invested $20 million of his own money in the race. Youngkin still clinched the election by nearly two points. Youngkin, who is term-limited from seeking reelection, has offered more than $21,000 in support to Earle-Sears through his political action committee. When asked whether he would donate more, his PAC responded, 'Governor Youngkin is working to elect the entire GOP ticket and is urging all Virginians to support the commonsense team this November to keep Virginia winning.' The Democrats' fundraising advantage isn't confined to the governor's race. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, who eked out a primary win in a close three-way contest for lieutenant governor, raised nearly $1.8 million in her primary race and has $462,000 remaining. The Republican nominee, conservative talk-radio host John Reid, raised nearly $312,000 since launching his campaign and has $116,000 remaining. The only statewide GOP candidate with a fundraising lead, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, has $2.3 million in the bank after raising a total of $4.6 million. His Democratic opponent, Jay Jones, has raised $2.7 million. He had about $493,000 left at the beginning of June, reports show. This year, all three Democratic statewide candidates are backed by Clean Virginia, a political group that pushes for clean energy and often takes on legislative challenges against Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility. The two groups are some of the most influential entities lobbying on state politics and policy. With energy demand likely to be a key issue in November, their influence could be significant. According to the nonpartisan public-access group, Spanberger has taken in $465,000 from the environmental organization. On Tuesday, Clean Virginia endorsed Hashmi's candidacy for lieutenant governor, following its previous donations to her state Senate campaign committee. During his campaign, Jones also received $1.5 million from Clean Virginia, while his primary opponent, Democrat Shannon Taylor, accepted $800,000 from Dominion Energy between 2024 and 2025. Clean Virginia released attack ads targeting Taylor for accepting Dominion money. The energy utility has become entangled in other statewide battles. On the Republican ticket, Earle-Sears accepted $50,000 from Dominion in March. Miyares also gained $450,000 from the utility so far this year. Clean Virginia has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including to candidates running for the House of Delegates, where all 100 members are up for reelection in November. Democrats who control the legislature are hoping to keep or expand their thin majority and amend the state's Constitution to protect rights to voting, marriage equality and abortion. Democratic candidates have raised about $16.9 million in those races, with $3.2 million stemming from House Speaker Don Scott. Meanwhile, Republicans have raised $8.8 million, with former Minority Leader Todd Gilbert earning over $643,000, and newly tapped Minority Leader Terry Kilgore raising nearly $470,000. ——— Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia attorney general primary: Jay Jones wins Democratic nomination
Jay Jones emerged victorious in Tuesday's primary election as the Democratic nominee for attorney general. He will face incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in November. With 95% of votes counted, The Associated Press called the race for Jones. Jones, an attorney who previously represented Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates, had 51% of the vote compared to Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor, who had 49%. The mood was joyous at a Norfolk watch party at Afterglow Brewing as the race was called. Jones and wife Mavis arrived shortly after 10 p.m. to cheers and applause. In a speech to supporters, Jones thanked the campaign and said he was honored to accept the nomination. 'I am ready for this fight and I am ready to win,' Jones said to more cheers. Jones also launched attacks against Miyares, calling him President Donald Trump's pro bono lawyer. 'We deserve better,' Jones said. 'We can do better, and we will get better this November.' In an emailed statement, Taylor thanked her campaign and called on supporters to rally behind Jones and the Democratic ticket in November. 'This campaign may be over, but our movement is not,' Taylor said. This is Jones' second run for attorney general. He previously ran against then-incumbent Mark Herring in the 2021 Democratic primary — Herring won with about 57% of the vote but went on to lose to Miyares in the general election. In this election, Herring, alongside former Attorney General Mary Sue Terry and six commonwealth's attorneys, endorsed Taylor. Jones was also endorsed by powerful Democrats, including US Sen. Cory Booker and former Virginia governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam. He represented parts of Norfolk in the General Assembly from 2018 until he stepped down at the end of 2021 just after his reelection. On the campaign trail, Taylor highlighted Jones's comparative lack of experience. Though Jones is an attorney and previously served as state delegate representing Norfolk and as an assistant attorney general in D.C., he had never prosecuted a criminal case. Jones raised more than $2.7 million to Taylor's $2.1 million. Taylor's biggest donor was Dominion Energy, which donated $800,000 to her campaign. Jones was endorsed by Clean Virginia, a major donation group that funds candidates who decline to accept money from Virginia's biggest publicly regulated utility. Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881,
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jay Jones to take on Jason Miyares in Virginia Attorney General race
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Jay Jones has won the Democratic nomination for Attorney General in Virginia, setting up a contest against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the upcoming election. Jones narrowly defeated Shannon Taylor, securing 51% of the votes compared to Taylor's 49%. This victory positions him to challenge Miyares in the general election scheduled for November 4, 2025. Breaking down Virginia primary election results 'Virginians are ready for change, ready to get our state back on track,' said Jones, emphasizing his commitment to working for the people rather than select interests. Jones has outlined his priorities, which include addressing crime, gun violence, and workforce issues. His campaign has focused on these key areas as he prepares to face Miyares in the election. In addition to the Attorney General race, Virginians will also decide on their next governor in November. Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears, who ran unopposed in their respective primaries, will make history regardless of the outcome, as Virginia has never had a woman governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Potential Youngkin successor focused on message in tough race to keep swing-state 'red'
EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was officially named the Republican Party's gubernatorial nominee on Tuesday evening, and during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, she described herself as "not a very conventional candidate." She said her goal is to reach voters across the political spectrum while working to keep Virginia's historic state capitol – America's oldest – under Republican leadership. She also spoke about her personal story and policy platform, and why they both resonate with voters. Earle-Sears was asked about governing at a time when there is uncertainty and tension both at home and abroad. "When it comes to safety and security, is that not the first real role of the political leader?" she told Fox News Digital. "It is to ensure that everybody is safe [because] we can't talk about economic development, we can't talk about education, we cannot talk about energy, we can't talk about affordable housing, if you're not safe and secure." Virginia Republicans Pick Radio Host To Run Alongside Winsome Sears In Race To Replace Youngkin Read On The Fox News App "[I]f you want to protest, of course. You must exercise your right to protest. But you must do it safely, and you must not threaten others." During her speech at the Hippodrome Theater in Richmond's Jackson Ward, Earle-Sears said she is confident in her quest to keep Richmond in Republican hands. Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's successful strategy in 2021 was to run up votes in Republican-friendly areas in southwest Virginia, where people also identified with President Donald Trump's message of the "forgotten man and woman." Earle-Sears pointed out that in some parts of the region, residents live closer to as many as six other state capitals than their own – and often feel politicians show up during election season, then disappear. Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger Releases First Ad, Slams 'Political Nonsense' In that regard, Earle-Sears pledged her first act as governor would be to open a "second" governor's office in the Old Dominion's rural western expanse. That move, she said, is part of a larger message that needs to be spoken of more in politics. "Everybody wants to be heard," she said. "I made a promise that I would not be one of those kinds of politicians." Conversely, she said, people in blue areas like the Washington, D.C., suburbs also have the right to hear a conservative message and have leaders from all sides responsive to them. "I mean, I look like the kind of people who really do normally vote Democratic, and I'm not. And so I'm appealing to all voters. "My message is a common-sense message that no matter where you came from in life, no matter what color you are, no matter what country you came from, when you came to America and you tried and here you are succeeding, that's what we need." During her speech, she spoke of how her father brought her to the U.S. as a young girl, landing in New York with $1.75 to his name – and how then her father could likely never imagine his daughter in one generation would be primed for a state's highest office. "Here I stand, second-in-command in the former capital of the Confederacy," Earle-Sears said. "Don't tell me America hasn't changed." She also issued a warning to her Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va. The GOP nominee, currently behind Spanberger by low-single-digits, used the idiom of a car traveling down the road and the driver looking in their side mirror and reading the sticker: "Objects are closer than they appear." Spanberger held a separate event Monday at her high school alma mater in Henrico County, with a crowd of about 400, according to reports. Fox News Digital had reached out to the Spanberger campaign ahead of Election Day as well. At Tucker High School, Spanberger said being back reminded her "why this fight is worth fighting." "I was lucky to have amazing opportunities here. I was lucky to have educators who cared deeply about the future of their students. I was lucky. And now, I want to make sure that every student, every family, and every community in Virginia has those same opportunities…" Spanberger said. State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Short Pump, who also spoke, called Spanberger a "Henrico Hometown Hero."Original article source: Potential Youngkin successor focused on message in tough race to keep swing-state 'red'
