VA GOV: McDonnell Campaign Cash "Nearly" $4.9M
Ex-VA AG Bob McDonnell (R), his party's GOV nom, announced some fundraising numbers today, the Monday after he was officially nominated at the VA GOP's state convo over the weekend. Since the start of the 2nd Q on 4/1, McDonnell's camp says it has raised $3.7M (Dems pointed out a portion of this came from the RGA, more to come on this tomorrow). When combined with monies still left over from the 1st Q, McDonnell's camp claims "nearly" $4.9M cash on hand, according to a release.
This weekend's nominating convo was just a formality for McDonnell, who's been running unopposed for the GOP nom since January. He's still waiting for VA Dems to choose his opponent from three contenders: ex-DNC chair Terry McAuliffe, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and ex-Del. Brian Moran. Dems are set to make their selection in a statewide primary 6/9.
The fundraising numbers are something of a formality, too. Along with the hotly contested NJ GOV race, VA GOV is seen by both parties -- but particularly by the beleaguered GOPers -- as a harbinger of '10's cong. cycle. Both parties are expected to pour vast amounts into VA's general election contest, making it tough for either nominee to grab a monetary advantage in the race. It's also hard to determine exactly what candidate fundraising totals foretell in a state with no contribution limits.
Still, McDonnell has shown that he's ready to fight hard to pull the purple VA back into the red column in Nov. Most polls show him leading a general election matchup against the Dem, even after an expensive statewide ad campaign targeting him run by the DGA through a VA-based 527.
There's also the boisterous Dem primary fight, which has focused even more attention on McDonnell criticisms. But the GOPer's campaign says all the noise coming from the Dems has been a good thing for McDonnell.
"We continue to build the resources we need to win this November," McDonnell's campaign manager, Phil Cox, said in the statement announcing the fundraising numbers. "And we are doing this while our potential opponents are waging an expensive and increasingly negative primary race. This is a crucial advantage as we take Bob McDonnell's positive message of new jobs and more opportunities to every voter in Virginia."
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
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