Republicans have lead in campaign money

New campaign finance reports show that Democratic candidate Krystal Ball went into the last days of the campaign with about $40,000 in her campaign account.

Her opponent in the 1st District congressional campaign, Republican incumbent Rob Wittman, had $493,912, a huge cash advantage.

Ball also loaned her campaign another $35,000 of her own money, bringing the total she has loaned herself to more than $260,000. About $36,000 of that has been paid back to her, according to the reports.

Ball brought in $22,087 in donations between Oct. 1 and Oct. 13, according to the pre-general-election report filed yesterday. She also reported a $2,400 contribution and a $2,000 contribution after the reporting period closed. Candidates are required to report large contributions separately this close to the election.

Wittman received $61,290 in contributions during the same time period--$38,790 from individuals and $22,500 from PACs. Ball has said she won't take money from PACs.

Wittman also reported about $7,300 in large contributions after the reporting period closed.

Wittman spent $103,753, a bit more than Ball's $93,173. For both candidates, the biggest chunk of spending was for campaign mailers, political consulting and staff salaries. Ball also pays at least some portion of staff housing.

Since the campaign started, Ball has raised $695,495 in contributions and spent $861,839 trying to win the seat, not counting the loans or loan repayment.

Wittman has received $1.2 million in donations and spent $821,734 during the campaign.

The 1st District runs from Fauquier County down through the Northern Neck to Yorktown.

In the 7th District, Republican incumbent Eric Cantor--who is also the House minority whip--has received about $4.8 million throughout the campaign, with about half of that coming from individuals and half from political committees.

He has spent about $4.3 million, partly by donating money to other candidates, both in Virginia and around the country.

Cantor's Democratic opponent, Rick Waugh, has raised $85,112 in this campaign and spent most of it--he ended the Oct. 13 report with just $2,168 cash on hand.

Independent Floyd Bayne has raised $14,297 and ended the reporting period with $6,805 cash on hand.

The election is Nov. 2.

Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028

Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com

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(source:fredericksburg.com)