The Virginia governor’s race is heating up as the latest fundraising reports reveal an early financial showdown between former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the likely Republican nominee. Both candidates have brought in millions, but Spanberger’s head start has left her campaign with a sizable cash advantage.
The Democrat from Prince William, who launched her campaign in November 2023, reported raising $2,501,153, in the most recent fundraising period between September and December 2024, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit tracking money in politics. Her campaign now sits on an impressive $6.5 million war chest as of Dec. 31.
“We’ve seen an outpouring of grassroots support over the last year,” said Samson Signori, Spanberger’s campaign manager. “Virginians across all of our counties and cities are excited about Abigail Spanberger serving them as the next governor of Virginia.”
Spanberger’s team credits her vision for Virginia, including plans to invest in education, economic growth, and protecting rights, for energizing supporters.
Meanwhile, Earle-Sears, who announced her campaign in September, narrowly outraised Spanberger in the last four months of 2024, pulling in $2,563,086 in the same period. The lieutenant governor, however, reported $2.1 million in cash on hand at year’s end — significantly less than Spanberger’s reserves.
