As Election Day approaches, local candidates are reporting last-minute large campaign donations. Amounts of $500 or more received during the two weeks before the election must be promptly reported to the State Board of Elections.
According to data released Friday by the Virginia Public Access Project, most of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors candidates have received new large gifts.
In the Rio District, the Monticello Business Alliance, a pro-business political action committee gave incumbent Republican Rodney S. Thomas another $1,000, bringing his total from the PAC to $3,500 this election.
His opponent, Democrat Brad Sheffield, received a $5,000 donation from Hunter Lewis, a financial adviser who previously gave $6,000 to the candidate.
In the Samuel Miller District, incumbent Republican Duane Snow received an additional $1,600 from the Monticello Business Alliance, bringing his total from the PAC to $4,100. He also received $3,000 from Susan B. Morris, $1,000 from the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association and $500 from CMA Properties.
His challenger, Democrat Liz Palmer, has received no donations over $500 since Oct. 22, although she has currently outraised all candidates running for the board with a total of $65,623 in donations.
In the Scottsville District special election, Republican Cindi Burket received an additional $500 from Carter Myers, $1,000 from Smith, Vicars & Co. and $2,500 from the Albemarle County Republican Party.
Her opponent, Democrat Jane Dittmar, received $5,000 from Benjamin Brewster, $2,500 from author John Grisham, $2,500 from Ted Weschler, $1,000 from Helen Dooley and $500 from William Kehoe.
In the Jack Jouett District, neither Diantha McKeel, an independent, nor her independent opponent, Phillip Seay, has received any large donations since Oct. 22.
In Charlottesville’s City Council race, Republican Mike Farruggio received $1,000 from Janice Aron on Oct. 25. None of the other candidates for the council has received donations over $500 since Oct. 22.
Candidates file their next campaign finance reports on Dec. 5, a month after the election.
