Virginians Pour Record Dollars Into Election

State's newfound battleground status sparks funding fervor

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 22, 2008 9:19 AM CDT

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Virginians Pour Record Dollars Into Election — The Virginia delegation announces their votes in support of John McCain during the roll call at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

With their home state up for grabs for the first time in decades, Virginians—particularly Democrats from the northern part of the state—are pouring money into the presidential race, the Washington Post reports. Thus far, locals have given a record $25.3 million to various candidates throughout the election cycle; that's twice as much as they anted up in 2004.

Some $15.9 million has gone to Democrats, including $8.1 million to Barack Obama. The GOP has raised $9.3 million, with $5 million going to John McCain. “People are very, very excited,” said an Obama finance chairman. While the Illinois senator’s financial success has been linked to small donors, he has 14 bundlers in the state; McCain has 52.
(More Virginia stories.)

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