Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares announced their fundraising totals for 2024.
Sears is running for governor, while Miyares is seeking reelection to a second term in 2025.
Sears said she raised more than $3 million in the four months of her campaign, which launched in September.
“The fight for Virginia’s future is in full-swing and the rush of grassroots and financial support for Winsome over just four months has placed our campaign in a position of great strength,” said Tucker Obenshain, Sears’ finance director.
Her likely Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, announced that she raised $5.96 million in 2024 — totaling nearly $9.6 million since her campaign launched in November of 2023.
Sears responded to the large number from Spanberger during an interview with Virginia Scope Tuesday.
“Well, considering that she’s had a long runway, I’m not surprised,” she said. “But what we know about being Republicans is that when we when we raise the money, we know exactly how to spend it very well. We will reach the people. And this is not ultimately about raising all those dollars. It’s about how we’re going to govern when we get there, and we will make sure that we support the people. That’s what this is about.”
Miyares, who is seeking a second term as attorney general, raised $1.6 million during the final six months of 2024, of which $1.35 million came during the final 44 days of the year after he launched his campaign.
“The support and encouragement Attorney General Miyares has received since announcing his re-election campaign has been tremendous,” said Nathaniel Hirt, the campaign manager for Miyares. “Virginians understand what is at stake and do not want to return to the criminal-first, victims last policies of just four years ago.”
The Miyares campaign said they have $4 million cash on hand.
Miyares is running against either former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones or Henrico Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor, who are competing in the Democratic primary.
Jones and Taylor have not publicized their fundraising totals yet.