Democrat Northam Builds Big Money Advantage as Virginia Governor's Race Enters Final Stretch

Democrat Ralph Northam had amassed a sizable fundraising advantage over Republican Ed Gillespie entering October, more than doubling his GOP rival in cash on hand after taking in $7.1 million in September, according campaign finance reports filed this week.

As of Sept. 30, Northam, Virginia’s current lieutenant governor, had $5.6 million in the bank, compared with a little less than $2.5 million for Gillespie. The former Republican National Committee chairman took in nearly $4.4 million in September.

Libertarian Cliff Hyra pulled in $9,053 for the month, ending with $4,280 on hand, according to reports compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. The reports had to be filed with the state by midnight Monday.

With most polls showing Northam slightly ahead in a relatively close race, money could be an important factor in late October and early November when both campaigns are looking to flood the TV airwaves with ads in what is expected to be a low-turnout election.