Spanberger opens up large fundraising advantage over Earle-Sears

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- New campaign finance reports show Abigail Spanberger has a clear advantage in the race for governor. 

“That’s quite a lead that Spanberger has,” Larry Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told 8News.

From April 1 through June 5, the Democratic nominee raised over $6.5 million. That’s more than $3 million more than her opponent, Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

That brings Spanberger’s cash on hand to over $14 million, or $11 million more than Earle-Sears, who has just under $3 million left to work with. 

“It tells us that the Spanberger campaign is very well organized and has been able to tap into a wellspring of interest by Democrats, not just in Virginia, but I think across the country,” Sabato explained. 

Sabato said that while Spanberger’s lead is impressive, money won’t likely decide who wins the governorship in November. 

“People often celebrate too early and organize the funeral too early, so I would caution people to pay attention to the campaign. The campaign and the candidates are what matters, and the national situation will determine the context in which the governor is selected.”