Governor candidate McAuliffe taps out-of-state fundraisers

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe made fundraising trips to Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix last week to beef up his already considerable campaign treasury.

As a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, McAuliffe is known for his fundraising ability. He already has begun running television ads in Virginia, more than three months in advance of the June 9 Democratic primary.

Elisabeth Smith, a spokeswoman for McAuliffe, said "the national Republican Party is throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the Virginia race this year. It's vital that the Democrats have the resources they need to compete in November."

She said McAuliffe will use the money to build up his grass-roots operation in Virginia.

Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell is the sole Republican candidate for governor. Spokesman Tucker Martin said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has hosted fundraisers for McDonnell in Washington and New York City.

"We have upcoming fundraisers scheduled in Florida and other out-of-state events ahead," he said. "This is a race about Virginia's future, but there is obvious national attention being given to it."

The next campaign finance reports from the candidates for governor are due April 15. As of Dec. 31, McDonnell was outpacing his three Democratic rivals, having raised $1.6 million in the previous six months.

Hosts of at least two of McAuliffe's three out-of-state events are wealthy benefactors who previously donated to Hillary Rodham Clinton's unsuccessful presidential campaign. McAuliffe is close to the Clintons.

McAuliffe stopped in Chicago on Monday, Arizona on Wednesday night and California on Thursday night. The host at the California event was Haim Saban, a billionaire media mogul who helped create the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Saban has given more than $13million to Democratic candidates and committees since 1994.

Spokesmen for McAuliffe's Democratic opponents, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, say they have not gone out of state to raise money.

"If you want a fundraiser, fundraiser, fundraiser, clearly this would be the candidate you want," Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds, said of McAuliffe. "We are going to continue to focus on jobs and getting the economy moving again."

Moran did not comment. His campaign recently has announced a series of endorsements by mayors in Richmond, Petersburg, Williamsburg and Hampton Roads.

Before flying to Arizona, McAuliffe on Wednesday held in Roanoke the last of eight roundtables on topics ranging from job creation to education. He said he will use ideas generated by the meetings to develop a business plan for Virginia.

A recent poll gave McAuliffe a slight lead over Moran in the Democratic race, with Deeds trailing, although all three are lacking in name recognition.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or .