Good news for Republicans as Attorney General Jason Miyares opens up a massive lead in fundraising looking towards the 2025 gubernatorial elections, raising $267,686 this quarter with an astounding $1.6M cash on hand.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears raised $92,408 with a cash-on-hand balance of $761,432 — a total which has a very broad array of support from grassroot Republican supporters.
Meanwhile on the left, former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn raised a steady $96,932 with $621,524 in the bank account, and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney resting on $339,947 after having raised a modest $9,763.
Of course, the 800lb gorilla in the room is none other than Rep. Abigail Spanberger whose SPA(O?)N PAC — laaaaaaame — has a whopping $1.4M on hand after raising $1.7M the previous quarter.
Spanberger, who is not running for re-election in 2024, is rumored to be gearing up for a 2025 bid for governor. While Filler-Corn and Stoney are thought to be pursuing options, there remains one other candidate on the left — Tom Perriello — where you have to wonder how much different Virginia would have been if Perriello and not Northam had nabbed the Democratic nod in 2017. . .
On the Virginia GOP side of the fence, the anticipation of a family feud between Miyares and Sears is not relished by either side — but anticipated. Should the Virginia Senate go 20-20 — or should Youngkin vacate the Governor’s Mansion in 2024 — things could get interesting quickly.
Time will tell.