With Virginia’s off-year elections for governor and attorney general in full swing, Republican and Democrat candidates are drawing major financial backing and energizing grassroots supporters in a high-stakes campaign season.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, raised $5.9 million between April 1 and June 30, creating a quarterly record for any Republican candidate in a Virginia gubernatorial election year. The campaign reported more than $3.5 million raised between April 1 and June 5, followed by an additional $2.39 million in the latter part of June.
“This kind of grassroots energy is historic—not just for our campaign, but for the future of Virginia,” Earle-Sears said in a news release. “Virginians are ready to axe the tax, protect right-to-work, and deliver bold, common-sense leadership that puts working families first.”
The Republican nominee for governor has raised over $11.5 million in this campaign cycle. The money will be used to expand field operations, launch new advertising, and mobilize a grassroots coalition, according to Earle-Sears’ campaign officials.
“No one in this race matches Winsome’s story, her proven record of results, or this kind of support from everyday Virginians,” campaign spokesperson Peyton Vogel said in a news release.
The Democratic National Committee revealed it will contribute $1.5 million to help elect Democrats in Virginia this year.
“Our elections this year are the most critical in the country, and [DNC] Chair [Ken] Martin understands that to win, we must organize everywhere and leave no voter behind,” Lamont Bagby, chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said in a statement.
The Spanberger for Governor campaign announced Wednesday that it raised over $10.7 million from April 1 to June 30 this year, making it the highest amount ever raised by a statewide candidate in Virginia in the second quarter of an election year. Abigail Spanberger is a former member of Congress from Virginia’s 7th District.
“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 news release.
The Daily Signal’s Fred Lucas reported Thursday that Earle-Sears’ poll numbers are similar to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s at this same time during his own campaign four years ago. In August 2021, Youngkin was trailing his Democratic competitor, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, by eight points. One poll indicates that Spanberger currently has a 12-point lead over Earle-Sears.
Meanwhile, the race for attorney general also remains heated. Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for reelection, is behind former Democrat state Del. Jay Jones by nine points.
Both candidates for attorney general are posting strong fundraising numbers. Miyares has surpassed the $9 million mark in fundraising, with Jones approaching the $5 million mark, according to the latest reports.
Miyares brought in over $4.7 million in less than 30 days, according to a campaign news release. His campaign will head into the Nov. 5 election with an $8.2 million war chest.
“With November fast approaching, the outpouring of support for Attorney General Miyares from across the commonwealth remains astounding. Virginians understand that a return to the Democrats’ radical criminal-first, victim-last mindset tarnishes our commonwealth and rejects common sense,” press secretary Alex Cofield said in a news release.
“Virginians believe in Jason Miyares’ record defending our rights and freedoms, protecting our kids, and making our communities safer while standing with law enforcement and holding violent criminals accountable. Virginians know who they trust when it comes to protecting the people,” Cofield said.
The Daily Signal reached out to the Jones campaign for comment but did not receive a response as of publication time.
With record-breaking fundraising totals, the upcoming Virginia state elections are seen as a proxy for where Virginians stand on President Donald Trump, Republicans, and their policies. Republican and Democratic candidates are demonstrating growing enthusiasm, with campaign cash fueling a high-stakes battle for the state’s top offices.