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The Hill
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Spanberger raises $10.2 million in second quarter in Virginia governors race
Former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D) gubernatorial campaign said it raised $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2025. The haul is the highest amount ever raised by a statewide candidate in Virginia in the second quarter of an election year, according to Spanberger's campaign. The average grassroots donation to Spanberger's campaign was $29, while 92 percent of donations were $100 or less, according to Spanberger's campaign. The latest haul brings Spanberger's fundraising total going back to when she announced her candidacy in November of 2023 to over $27 million. 'Across the Commonwealth, Abigail hears from Virginians who are feeling squeezed by high costs, frustrated by the chaos coming out of Washington, and are ready to elect a Governor who will put Virginia families first — not blind loyalty to a political party,' Spanberger's campaign manager Samson Signori said in a statement. 'Over the next four months, our campaign will use every minute to make sure Abigail's winning message reaches every community in Virginia.' Republican nominee and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle- Sears (R ) has not released her second quarter fundraising numbers yet. In April, Sears' campaign said it raked in $3.1 million in the first quarter, setting a record for Republican candidates in the state. 2024 Election Coverage According to the Virginia Public Access Project, prior to the second quarter filing period, Earle-Sears had raised over $9 million and Spanberger raised over $22 million. A Roanoke College survey released in May showed Spanberger with a wide 43 percent to 26 percent lead over Earle-Sears, with 28 percent of voters saying they were undecided. However, another May poll released by the business group Virginia FREE showed Spanberger leading by 4 percentage points. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'lean Democratic.'
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Spanberger highlights law enforcement experience in Virginia gov race
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D-Va.) gubernatorial campaign launched a new ad on Tuesday highlighting her background in law enforcement. The 30-second ad, which is narrated by Spanberger's father, Martin Davis, will be broadcast in the Richmond and Norfolk media markets and statewide on digital platforms. The Hill was the first outlet to view the ad. Davis notes Spanberger's background working as a federal agent investigating child predators, narcotics cases and arresting drug dealers, as well as her record as a CIA officer working on counterterrorism cases. 'Service is something I was always talking about,' Davis, who is a career law enforcement officer and Army veteran, says in the ad. 'And I guess Abigail was listening, and that's how I know she'll make a great governor.' Spanberger is seeking to flip Virginia's governor's mansion in the fall in a race that the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated as 'lean Democratic.' She will face off against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) in November. A Roanoke College survey released in May showed Spanberger with a wide 43 percent to 26 percent lead over Earle-Sears, with 28 percent of voters saying they were undecided. However, another May poll released by the business group Virginia FREE showed Spanberger leading by 4 percentage points. Spanberger also holds a fundraising lead over Earle-Sears. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Spanberger raised $6.5 million, while Earle-Sears brought in $3.5 million; Spanberger has more than $14 million in the bank, while Earle-Sears has just less than $3 million.
The Hill
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Virginia emerges as key bellwether ahead of midterms
Virginia's off-year elections are being viewed by both parties as a key bellwether heading into next year's midterms, as well as a potential indicator for how voters view President Trump. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) will face off to become the first female governor of the state, while Democrats will seek to maintain and grow their majority in the House of Delegates. The races could prove to be a litmus test for the first year of Trump's second administration as Republicans prepare to defend their majorities in Congress next year, especially as Virginia has a tendency to oscillate between the two parties in the race for governor. 'The Democrats want to look at this as a bellwether largely because they think they have an advantage here,' said veteran Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball each rate the gubernatorial contest as 'lean Democratic.' A Roanoke College survey released in May showed Spanberger with a wide 43 percent to 26 percent lead over Earle-Sears, with 28 percent of voters saying they were undecided. However, another May poll released by the business group Virginia FREE showed Spanberger leading by 4 percentage points. Spanberger also holds a fundraising lead over Earle-Sears. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Spanberger raised $6.5 million while Sears brought in $3.5 million. Spanberger currently has more than $14 million in the bank, while Sears has just less than $3 million. Spanberger, a former intelligence officer, has a history as a formidable candidate, having unseated former Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) in the state's highly competitive 7th Congressional District. The congresswoman went on to win reelection in the district twice. Additionally, Spanberger has touted herself as a moderate Democrat, pointing to her work across the aisle while serving in the House. While Spanberger has touted a number of kitchen=table issues including affordability, investing in schools and community safety, the former congresswoman often points to federal government job cuts made under Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The cuts have had a unique impact on Virginia given the federal government's close proximity to the state. 'Virginia is home to more than 320,000 federal employees,' Spanberger said in an interview with The Hill. 'I will never miss an opportunity to make sure the president understands that the haphazard DOGE effort has been deeply, deeply detrimental to Virginians, to their families, to our economy, and that the havoc it has wreaked across our commonwealth is so significant.' 'As a former national security professional, I have dire concerns about what the future looks like,' she said, referring to laid-off government employees with 'institutional understanding and historical references.' Earle-Sears, who is originally from Jamaica, has a background as a Marine Corps veteran and businesswoman. She served in the House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004 and unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) in the state's 3rd Congressional District in 2004. In 2021, she became Virginia's first female lieutenant governor when she won alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares (R). Earle-Sears has leaned into her work in the Youngkin administration in making her case to the commonwealth's voters, particularly on job creation. '[Voters] all pretty much say they want what we are doing in Virginia to continue, and my opponent's problem is she was never a part of creating this great economy that we have, bringing all these jobs to Virginia,' Earle-Sears told The Hill in an interview. In the wake of the DOGE cuts, Youngkin and Earle-Sears have touted the administration's 'Virginia Has Jobs' initiative, which includes 250,000 open jobs in the state; a 'support resource bundle' would also be available to federal workers looking for work. However, Democrats have attacked Earle-Sears over her response to the impact of DOGE cuts on the state, pointing to remarks she made earlier this year in which she touted the state's jobs initiative and said losing a job is 'not unusual.' 'I have lost a job, and in any room that this has been brought up, I ask the people how many of you have ever lost a job?' Earle-Sears told The Hill last month, referring to remarks from earlier this year. 'I raised my hand along with them. And I got to tell you, we don't want people to of course not have jobs, and that's why we have been so successful in creating over 270,000 of them.' However, Republicans are still voicing concerns about Earle-Sears's chances in November. Veteran GOP strategist and senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign Chris LaCivita called her staff 'ameteurs' in a post on the social platform X in May, while one Virginia Republican strategist called this year's cycle 'a hard hill to climb' for Republicans. 'The money disadvantage is massive, and that's a problem,' the Virginia GOP strategist said. 'That's the challenge beyond structure, the resource piece and running really good campaigns.' The strategist noted that in addition to touting her work in Youngkin's administration, Earle-Sears could draw on issues that have played well for Republicans nationally. 'There are encouraging signs,' the strategist said. 'Obviously the president's approval rating, stability around the world, stability on trade policy. There are the conditions for the national environment to be solid, and yet still it is a challenging state to compete in simply because of the makeup of the state and historically, just with the party in power, it makes it difficult to [hold on to the governorship].' During Trump's first administration in 2017, Democrats saw victories in the gubernatorial, lieutenant gubernatorial and state attorney general races. Democrats did not win a majority in the House of Delegates that year, but they narrowed the GOP majority to a one-seat advantage. Two years later, in 2019, Virginia Democrats gained control of the House of Delegates and the state Senate, giving the party control of both legislative chambers and the governor's mansion for the first time since 1994. In 2021, when former President Biden was in the White House, Republicans hit back in the state's off-year elections, when the party won back control of the House of Delegates and Youngkin won the gubernatorial contest. When asked about whether Trump's presence in the White House will impact the gubernatorial race, Earle-Sears said the race is about her and Spanberger. 'This race is about Abigail Spanberger and me and the commonsense ideas that I stand for. People can differentiate and make that distinction,' Earle-Sears said.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
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 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. Diaz writes for the Associated Press.
20-06-2025
- Business
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. ———
