Spanberger, Hashmi, Miyares hold cash-on-hand advantages as Election Day nears

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — New campaign finance reports show Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger has a more than $10.5 million cash-on-hand advantage over Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears.

“This kind of money ensures that her name will flood the airwaves between July and November, that she’s got the resources to get her message out there, get her name out there, and reach pretty much everybody in the Commonwealth,” Randolph-Macon Political Science Professor Rich Meagher told 8News.

Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Ghazala Hashmi has about $1.28 million on hand. Her opponent, Republican John Reid, has just over $163,000 on hand.

“I think the numbers for Hashmi and Reid are a little deceiving in part because Hashmi’s advantage is so big because of one big chunk of money she got from a national Democratic lieutenant governor’s association,” Meagher said.

In the race for attorney general, Republican incumbent Jason Miyares has a more than $5 million cash-on-hand advantage over Democrat Jay Jones.

“I really think he’s banking on even if things go sideways with the Republicans in Virginia this year, I still got a shot, and I think other people are agreeing with him and giving him the resources he needs to take a shot at winning,” Meagher told 8News.

Democratic candidates seeking election to the House of Delegates also held a cash-on-hand advantage over their Republican opponents.