Candidate McAuliffe raises $6.1M in bid to reclaim governorship

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Former Governor Terry McAuliffe has so far raised more than any other candidate running in Virginia’s gubernatorial race.

The Democrat raised $6.1 million in 2020, and ended the year with $5.5 million on hand.

“Probably the thing I’m most excited about is every city and county, I have donations from all 133,” McAuliffe said.

According to his campaign, McAuliffe currently has over 9,000 donors with more than 90% of donations under $100. He says most of the money is coming from online donations, claiming the fundraising shows enthusiasm in his candidacy.

“Finally, they have someone who’s willing to stand up for education. I’m calling for a $2 billion investment, I’m calling for broadband access, I’m calling for 40,000 of our at-risk 3 and 4-year-olds to get Pre-K,” McAuliffe said.

While the numbers are impressive, J. Miles Coleman with the University of Virginia Center for Politics says McAuliffe shouldn’t pop the champagne just yet.

“Money definitely isn’t everything,” Coleman said.

He says you don’t have to go back too far to demonstrate that lesson: just look to the November election.

“In a lot of the key Senate races across the country you would have Republicans like Susan Collins in Maine, Thom Tillis in North Carolina be outspent but still win,” Coleman said.

Coleman says the money McAuliffe has raised will be most helpful when buying ads, especially in the more expensive Northern Virginia media market which has more swing voters open to both political parties.

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