Tuesday was the filing deadline for political action committees associated with elected officials to report their fundraising totals through the end of August. While it is early, this gauges who can potentially raise money for a statewide run in 2029.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who cannot run for reelection, raised the most. She will likely use her pot to help Democrats in 2027 as they try to keep their majority in the House of Delegates and expand their slim majority in the state Senate. Spanberger can also use the money to help candidates across the country, potentially currying favor if she has national ambitions.
Spanberger’s United for Virginia’s Future PAC raised $1,191,756 between May 26 and August 31. The PAC has $2,695,542 cash on hand.
Attorney General Jay Jones, who could be eyeing a run for governor or reelection to his current post in 2029, raised far more than any other potential gubernatorial candidate during the latest fundraising period.
Jones’ Defend Virginia PAC raised $551,919 between May 26 and August 31. The PAC has $520,726 cash on hand.
Democratic State Senator Mamie Locke’s Underground to Uplift PAC raised the next-highest total, bringing in $267,288 and reporting $980,051 cash on hand.
Speaker of the House Don Scott, another potential candidate for governor, raised $245,654 with his Virginia Future Generations PAC and also reported $568,049 cash on hand.
The first Republican on the list, Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, raised $154,779 for his Reagan Majority for Virginia PAC, with $678,958 cash on hand.
House Finance Chair Luke Torian (D) raised $148,832 for his Leaders for an Equitable Tomorrow PAC and had $397,370 cash on hand.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, another potential candidate for governor, raised $85,862 to her Next Chapter PAC, with $208,600 cash on hand.
2029 governor
That puts the three most likely candidates for governor in 2029 at:
- Attorney General Jay Jones: $551,919 raised and $520,726 cash on hand.
- Speaker of the House Don Scott: $245,654 raised and $568,049 cash on hand.
- Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi: $85,862 raised and $208,600 cash on hand.
These numbers were provided by VPAP.