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Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity quickly emerged as the Republican field’s leading fundraiser in Virginia’s lieutenant governor race, collecting more than $200,000 within a week of launching his campaign Jan. 3.

The 64-year-old Springfield District representative far outpaced Williamsburg businessman John Curran’s reported $645.53 in contributions. Curran, the first Republican to enter the contest, nevertheless had more cash available after lending his campaign $1 million.

Richmond radio host John Reid also joined the race for the Republican nomination but had not yet disclosed his campaign finances.

Herrity campaign manager Jonathon Nave said the supervisor’s electoral experience and fundraising history distinguish him from his lesser-known Republican rivals. Nave said the money would help Herrity compete in both the primary and general election while supporting the GOP’s entire statewide ticket.

Since 2012, Herrity has raised more than $2.8 million across his campaigns and secured five consecutive victories in predominantly Democratic Fairfax County. He has also become one of Northern Virginia’s most prominent Republican voices.

Political consultant Ben Tribbett said candidates seeking lower-profile offices frequently draw much of their financial support from people in their home region who already know them.

The primary was scheduled for June 17, and previous lieutenant governor campaigns indicated that fundraising would intensify as the election approached. Winsome Earle-Sears raised more than $3 million in the year before taking office in 2022, while her Democratic predecessor, Justin Fairfax, collected more than $4 million before his inauguration.

Despite Herrity’s early advantage among Republicans, several Democratic candidates reported substantially larger balances. State Sen. Aaron Rouse led with more than $665,000 on hand, followed by State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi with $546,748.97 and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney with $513,831.60.

Democratic members of the otherwise all-blue Fairfax County Board of Supervisors had also begun choosing sides. Rouse announced Northern Virginia endorsements Jan. 24 that included Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.