Photo courtesy Levar Stoney
The rich got richer in Richmond’s mayor’s race.
In July and August, former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney raised $193,000 from 443 donations, bringing his fundraising total to about $610,000. Stoney’s sum exceeds the previous fundraising record for a mayoral candidate, $500,234, which Robert Grey raised in 2008.
In a release, Stoney’s campaign says the report “solidifies that he has the resources necessary to reach as many voters as possible before Election Day.”
Stoney reported $146,000 in expenses for the period, with the lion’s share put toward consulting or research firms and campaign staffers. The largest single expenditure was a $25,000 payment to Hart Research Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based firm with a who’s-who client list that includes Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
Former Venture Richmond executive Jack Berry’s campaign reported raising just under $165,000 from 422 donations, bringing his total raised thus far to about $375,000. Berry reported $90,000 in expenses, the bulk of which went toward consulting and marketing firms, as well as staffers.
Former Commonwealth’s Attorney and Virginia Delegate Joe Morrissey reported raising $67,350. Morrissey received a $20,000 donation from Jerry Cable, the owner of the Tobacco Company in Shockoe Bottom. The restaurant has donated $14,000 to Morrissey political campaigns for state office in the past, records made available through the Virginia Public Access Project show.
West End Councilman Jon Baliles reported raising about $28,000 from 174 donations. Former West End Councilman Bruce Tyler raised $7,700 and spent $34,000 during the two-month period, leaving him with about $2,000 on hand. City Council President Michelle Mosby reported raising about $7,000, including a $5,000 in-kind contribution for “poll and ballot consultation” from Paul Goldman, the law partner of one of Mosby’s opponents, Joe Morrissey.
Electronic reports for Bobby Junes and Lawrence Williams were not available at the time of publication.
The next campaign finance reporting deadline is Oct. 17. Reports due at that time will cover activity during the month of September.
