This is the first time, during the first five days of pre-election reporting, when a gubernatorial candidate has been out-raised by one of his or her downticket running mates. Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli reported donations of $147,000, compared to $1.3 million reported by Mark Obenshain, the GOP candidate for attorney general.
Republicans are pouring the bux into the down ticket, specifically into the Obenshain war chest. That’s a lot of money to pour into a campaign that is obviously to deny the Democrats the sweep.
This news sent me scurrying to the Mark Herring website for a little feed the kitty time. I have been stingy this fall. My family has given time to the political process. Tonight I decided to part with some of my hard earned dollars. It’s time to keep Obenshain over in the Valley, not in Richmond.
More reading: National Journal
If money is the secret, then McAuliffe is a shoo-in but he could well be alone at the top. However, the AG race may turn out to be a surprise yet. I know my guy Reed Heddleston (51st District) is probably not going to win, although the money is almost even, he has just not been dynamic of very visible. On the other hand, Delegate Rich Anderson, the incumbent, has been all over the place and will win despite his participation in the War on Women.
Funny that no one is even paying attention to this part of the state election.
Have people thrown in the towel on the republicans?
You can bet the Republicans are paying attention to them. Anderson, Lingamfelter, Marshall, Miller, LeMunyon, Rust and Ramadan–all Republicans. And, as I noted earlier, Reed Heddleston has been the Invisible Candidate as has Dr. Northam, the candidate for Lieutenant Governor. You can’t win if people don’t know who you are and that seems to be one of the problems with Democrats. I don’t know how many calls and letters I have received about $$$$ but I do not give any money to political campaigns. In consider it pouring sand down a rat hole and it is the primary problem with our political system; i.e., we have the best politicians money can buy.
I get email daily from Northam. I have supported his candidacy since before he was a candidate.
Local democrats don’t do a real good job of publishing their candidates. McAuliffe is running his own campaign. I know that Atiff (challenging Marshall in the 13th) is also and those folks are working real hard.