The two Republicans vying to replace Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2013 had a lucrative 2011 — the first indication of just how expensive the race could become.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling raised $1.1 million last year for his gubernatorial bid, slightly outpacing Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who brought in $937,000.
Bolling has more than $1 million in the bank, compared with Cuccinelli’s $732,000, for a race that’s still a year and a half away.
It was Cuccinelli’s unexpected announcement to jump into the race late last year that bolstered Bolling’s year-end totals, the lieutenant governor said. Of the $555,000 raised in the second half of 2011, about $400,000 arrived in December, after Cuccinelli’s announcement, setting the tone for a long, expensive campaign between the two rivals.
“I am especially pleased by the groundswell of support I have received since my opponent announced his campaign for governor on Dec. 1,” Bolling said. “We raised more money during the last month of 2011 than we have during any similar fundraising period.”
Without officially declaring, Cuccinelli tallied nearly $1 million dollars between his attorney general campaign fund and his political action committee Liberty Now. The two pots of cash are expected to be merged when Cuccinelli forms a campaign account for the gubernatorial race, but probably not until after mid-March. State law bans officeholders from raising money during the legislative session.
Cuccinelli had 4,644 individual donations in 2011, to Bolling’s 1,659.
“We’re extremely proud of the number of grassroots donors who invested their hard-earned money in Ken’s campaign,” said Cuccinelli spokesman Noah Wall.
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When Cuccinelli decided to run, it spoiled the gentlemen’s agreement Bolling made with McDonnell before the 2009 election. Bolling wouldn’t run against McDonnell in 2009 if McDonnell would back him in 2013.
McDonnell has endorsed Bolling, often referring to his former running mate as “chief jobs creation officer” and emphasizing Bolling’s role in attracting business to the commonwealth.
Cuccinelli is unapologetic about joining the race, insisting he had no part in Bolling and McDonnell’s agreement.
