The race for the 93rd House of Delegates district is heating up as the price tag for the race has exceeded $1 million — fueled by large, last-minute donations to each campaign.
Incumbent Del. Mike Mullin (D-Newport News) has been out-fundraised by candidate Heather Cordasco (R-James City County) in the days leading up to the Nov. 7 election.
Mullin lead the fundraising race for the House of Delegates district until October, according to data analyzed by the Virginia Public Access Project.
“Coming down to the wire, we need to have the resources that we need to do mailers, and to make sure that our message is getting out on television,” said Tim Wagner, campaign manager for Mike Mullin.
As state-wide groups set their sights on the competitive House of Delegates’ district, Mullin’s fundraising lead has been whittled down to nothing.
Large contributions from the Dominion Leadership Trust PAC have fueled the Cordasco campaign in October. The political action committee gave her campaign $225,000 in the first 26 days of October, according to data analyzed by the Virginia Public Access Project.
The political action committee was founded by House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell R-Stafford in 2003, according to Howell’s spokesman Matt Moran.
“What we’re hoping to do is help get her across the finish line,” Moran said of Cordasco. “We’re defending 17 seats that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Despite playing defense in so many of those seats we’re still making it a priority to invest in Heather.”
In the first 26 days of October, the Cordasco campaign raised $292,164 compared to the Mullin campaign’s $147,134, according to the Virginia Public Access Project data.
Cordasco has raised $553,318 in 2017. More than half of the donations to her campaign came during the first 26 days of October, according to the data.
Chris Scotten, campaign manager for Heather Cordasco said her policy proposals are “resonating with voters.”
“Even though Republican leaders are defending 17 seats in the House, they’re investing heavily because they know that Heather can win and will be a valuable addition to the House.”
Mullin has raised $539,656 in 2017. Donations to his campaign have generally increased as election day comes closer, according to the data.
On Oct. 27, Mullin’s campaign was given $75,000 by the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
The Cordasco campaign has received fewer cash contributions than Mullin, but at a higher average contribution amount.
Cash contributions from smaller donors have been powering the Mullin campaign, according to Wagner.
“Our campaign’s just not being powered by big money and political leaders,” Wagner said.
The difference is shown through the data.
Cordasco has had 489 cash contributions in 2017 at an average of $925.79 per contribution, while Mullin has had 1860 cash contributions at an average of $171.09 per contribution.
In contrast, small-dollar-donors, contributors who give less than $100, have given slightly more than four times as much money to Mullin than Cordasco. The Mullin campaign’s average small-dollar-donor gives $30.26.
“Where on the other hand, our opponents money has mostly come from Speaker Howell, the Republican Party of Virginia. A large portion of where we get our dollars from is everyday working class people in the 93rd.”
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Click here to learn more about Republican candidate Heather Cordasco.
Click here to learn more about Democratic incumbent Mike Mullin.
