From the Jennifer McClellan campaign…that “Nearly $1.5 Million Pledged for Second Quarter” would be more than double what she raised in 1Q21, which obviously is a lot of money relatively speaking. Also, chatter had already begun – such as by Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report – that the Democratic governor’s primary might be down to a two-person race between Terry McAuliffe and Jennifer Carroll Foy. Might this $1.5 million pledged money for McClellan change that?
McClellan Campaign Announces $630,000 Raised in First Quarter, Nearly $1.5 Million Pledged for Second Quarter
Despite Fundraising Blackout During Legislative Session, McClellan Has Record Quarter
Campaign Fundraising Builds Momentum with Nearly $400K Raised in March, after McClellan’s Successful Legislative Session
RICHMOND ﹘Today, Sen. Jennifer McClellan’s gubernatorial campaign announced that it raised more than $630,000 across all entities during the first quarter of 2021, buoyed by the momentum of the campaign’s best fundraising month ever in March. Despite a fundraising blackout during legislative session, McClellan’s campaign set a record for quarterly fundraising during the first three months of 2021.
The campaign also announced Tuesday that it had nearly $1.5 million in pledged donations for the second quarter, led by major planned contributions from New Virginia Majority and Care in Action.
As a State Senator focused on delivering relief to Virginians during the pandemic, McClellan was barred from fundraising for all 28 days of regular session, and the special session lasted until early March. McClellan passed 10 bills, making history by passing the first Voting Rights Act in the South, repealing the ban on abortion coverage on the state health care exchange, enshrining worker protections for domestic workers, and reforming the criminal justice system for those with mental illness, autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Coming out of a successful session, McClellan raised nearly $400,000 in March, and her campaign set a record on March 31 with its largest fundraising day – more than 4x the previous record.
During eligible fundraising days in the first quarter of 2021, McClellan raised money at 3x the pace of the previous fundraising period in 2020. McClellan’s campaign has picked up steam from last year with more single donations and contributors this quarter than in all of 2020 combined.
“Our campaign is picking up momentum at just the right time,” said McClellan campaign manager Rachel Perry. “Virginia grassroots donors responded to Jennifer McClellan’s commitment to serve the people and her unparalleled record of progressive achievement. Virginians want a leader with the perspective and experience to lead the Commonwealth forward, and that’s exactly what Jennifer McClellan showed in the first quarter of 2021.”
Nearly 80% of McClellan’s donations were under $100 – a major sign of increasing grassroots support. McClellan is also supported across the Commonwealth, having received donations from every congressional district in Virginia.
“As her constituents were struggling through the midst of the pandemic, Senator McClellan was one of the most prolific legislators in the General Assembly last session passing ten comprehensive bills that will bring generational change to our Commonwealth,” Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) said. “Jenn stayed in the legislature to pass major bills like the Voting Rights Act of Virginia and the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, even though she could not fundraise during regular session. I’m proud to support Senator McClellan because I know she will always put people over politics. Virginians are looking for a leader who is solving their problems now – and that’s exactly what Jenn McClellan has been doing every day.”
As McClellan led the passage of landmark legislation this year, her campaign has continued to run an aggressive field operation. Since February, McClellan’s supporters have knocked on more than 93,000 doors and made over 282,000 phone calls through partnerships with grassroots organizations Care in Action and New Virginia Majority.
“Senator McClellan’s unmatched legislative experience paved the way for historic progress for domestic workers and caregivers. Jenn knows how to win for women and families, and she will lead bold progress as our next Governor,” said Care in Action Virginia State Director Alexsis Rodgers. “Virginia domestic workers have never had such a champion run for Governor, and Care in Action is proud to organize Black women and women of color to support Jenn McClellan’s candidacy.”
“New Virginia Majority is talking to voters across the Commonwealth every single day and they’re ready to vote for an experienced candidate who will bring transformational change. They’re ready for Senator McClellan to be the next Governor of Virginia,” said New Virginia Majority co-executive director Tram Nguyen. “We will continue to invest in her historic candidacy, ensuring voters are heard at the ballot box throughout the early voting period and on June 8.”
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