Friday, October 16, 2009
McDonnell carries cash advantage into homestretch
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roanoke.com/politics
Republican Bob McDonnell began the final full month of his gubernatorial campaign with a healthy cash advantage over Democratic rival Creigh Deeds, another sign of strength for the former attorney general in the race's closing weeks.
McDonnell finished the month of September with $4.5 million in the bank compared with nearly $2.8 million for Deeds. McDonnell raised $3.8 million in September and has collected a total of $17.4 million for the campaign, according to a report filed with the state board of elections.
"With three weeks left in the race, we have great momentum and the resources we need to continue to get Bob McDonnell's new ideas and positive vision out to voters across the state," said McDonnell campaign manager Phil Cox. "As every poll demonstrates, Bob McDonnell's positive campaign and innovative solutions to key challenges facing our state are resonating with Virginians."
McDonnell's campaign reported more than 6,400 individual donors, including 4,819 new donors. Its coffers also were boosted by a $400,000 contribution from the Republican National Committee.
Deeds collected $3.5 million in September and has raised a total of $13.2 million in the election cycle, according to the report filed by his campaign.
Deeds' September fundraising included $500,000 from the Democratic National Committee, of which Gov. Tim Kaine is chairman, and $500,000 from the Democratic Governors Association.
"We are encouraged by the enthusiasm from grass-roots Virginians and the investments of the Democratic National Committee," said Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey.
Deeds' campaign had more than 3,700 donors in September, including 2,489 new donors.
In the other statewide races, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling had $1.2 million in the bank for his re-election bid, while Democratic challenger Jody Wagner reported a balance of nearly $880,000. In the attorney general race, Democrat Steve Shannon had $1.4 million in available cash and Republican Ken Cuccinelli had more than $935,000. But Cuccinelli had a stronger September, pulling in $673,000 compared with Shannon's $532,000.
-- Michael Sluss
