McDonnell reports fundraising for gubernatorial race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell raised $2.2 million in the first quarter, outpacing two of his three Democratic rivals.

McDonnell, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination, reported $3.5 million in cash on hand through March 31.

"We have far more cash on hand than any of our potential opponents," said McDonnell's campaign manager, Phil Cox. "While they must raise and spend, we are building the resources we need to win in November."

As attorney general, McDonnell was barred from raising money from Jan. 14, the beginning of the General Assembly session, through Feb. 20, when he stepped down to campaign full time.

The campaign had 1,547 individual donors, including the Republican Governors Association, which contributed $1 million. McDonnell's campaign reported that 93 percent of its contributors are from Virginia.

Last week, Terry McAuliffe of McLean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, reported raising $4.2 million from Jan. 1 to March 31, compared with $800,000 for former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria and $600,000 for state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.

As a state lawmaker, Deeds was unable to raise money during the 46-day General Assembly session.

Overall, McAuliffe had raised $5.2 million through March 31, compared with nearly $3 million for Moran and $2.8 million for Deeds.

McAuliffe reported having $2.5 million in cash on hand at the end of March, compared with $1.2 million for Deeds and $824,000 for Moran.

Virginia Republicans are expected to formally select McDonnell as their nominee at a state convention in Richmond at the end of May. Democrats will choose their nominee in a June 9 primary.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .

Politics editor Andrew Cain contributed to this report.