Good stuff from Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and Elaine Luria (VA-02) in two winnable, “purple” districts.
Spanberger Campaign Shatters VA07 Democratic Fundraising Records
Virginia’s 7th Democrat sets bar for single quarter and total contribution numbers
HENRICO, VA — Today, Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District, announced her campaign raised more than $615,000 in the second quarter of 2018, from April 1 to June 30. That total is the most ever in a single quarter from a Virginia 7th Democrat. In total, the campaign has raised over $1.3 million, more than any other Democratic challenger in the history of Virginia’s 7th District. Spanberger has not accepted any corporate PAC funds, and 74% of the campaign’s nearly 19,000 donations were small dollar contributions of $25 or less. Spanberger built the foundation of her campaign in Virginia with 75% of all dollars raised coming from Virginians.
Spanberger’s strong fundraising numbers reflect the continued impact her campaign has had since she secured the Democratic nomination in June with 72.65% of the vote.
“It is clear that our campaign’s emphasis on connecting with voters across the District and talking about the issues that matter most to them continues to resonate,” said Spanberger. “When I launched this campaign a year ago, it was assumed that the race was unwinnable. Since then, we’ve secured the Democratic nomination, we’ve seen the district rating change from ‘Safe R’ to ‘Toss Up’, and we have raised over a million dollars from dedicated individuals eager to see accessible, effective leadership in VA07. I am honored and humbled by the support our campaign has received, and I look forward to continuing the fight for the kind of common-sense policies that ensure greater opportunity for people across the 7th District.”
In addition to outraising all previous Democratic challengers in VA07 and securing a spot in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s competitive “Red to Blue” Program, Abigail has also received high-profile endorsements, including the AFL-CIO, EMILY’s List, End Citizens United, Governor Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. She will face Republican Congressman Dave Brat in November.
Abigail Spanberger is a former CIA officer and the Democratic nominee running for Congress against Dave Brat in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. She believes in leadership that flows from our shared American values of integrity, responsibility, and decency, and she wants to work to move this country forward together. To learn more, please visit AbigailSpanberger.com.
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Elaine Luria raises over $930k with $15 average donation
VIRGINIA BEACH – Today, Elaine Luria’s campaign announced that she raised over $930,000 in her second quarter, bringing her total raised for the cycle to over $1.3 million in the first six months.
This total includes no contributions from corporate PACs. Elaine’s campaign is fueled by grassroots support from individuals, with an average Q2 donation of $15 and 99% of donations received were $100 or less.
“Grassroots supporters throughout Coastal Virginia are excited that someone like Elaine – a retired Navy Commander and small business owner – is running to represent them in Congress and fight for affordable health care.” said Elaine Luria’s Campaign Manager, Kathryn Sorenson. “Elaine is living her values by rejecting contributions from corporate PACs, and making it clear that her grassroots campaign has the momentum to take on Scott Taylor and win in November.”
Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District was recently moved to a toss-up race by Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Elaine secured the Democratic nomination last month after earning the support of 62% of Democratic primary voters on June 12, and now faces Republican Scott Taylor in the general election.
Elaine Luria is the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s Second Congressional District, which includes all of Accomack and Northampton Counties, the cities of Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, as well as portions of Norfolk, Hampton, and York and James City Counties. The district supported Governor-elect Ralph Northam by 4 percentage points last November and is rated as a TOSS-UP race by non-partisan election forecasters at Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, making it one of the most likely seats to flip in 2018.
WEXTON FOR CONGRESS Q2 FUNDRAISING TOPS $1 MILLION
Jennifer Wexton matches incumbent Barbara Comstock as Post-Primary Haul Reaches $700,000
State Senator Jennifer Wexton today announced that her Congressional campaign raised over one million dollars in Q2, despite facing a six-way primary on June 12th. Wexton raised $700,000 in the final two weeks of June, after scoring a strong 19-point win in her primary. Wexton’s Q2 fundraising matched that of incumbent Barbara Comstock, whose campaign limped to a primary victory over an unknown, underfunded opponent.
“The remarkable outpouring of financial support we received last quarter is further evidence that voters are sick and tired of Barbara Comstock hiding from her constituents and selling out Northern Virginia kids and families to push the gun lobby’s and President Trump’s agendas,” said Senator Wexton. “I’m proud of my record of service to the people of the 10th Congressional District, especially my work to expand Medicaid to 400,000 Virginians, and I look forward fighting for all Virginians in Washington.”
Wexton’s second quarter fundraising haul comes after she won a 6-way primary on June 12th with 42% of the vote, despite being outspent 2 to 1 by her top opponent. It also comes amid public polling showing Wexton leading Comstock by 10 points in the November general election.
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