Annandale Residents Contribute Over $300,000 to 2010 Races

Contributions by Annandale residents to 2010 races have decreased by half when compared to 2006, when the last midterm elections took place. Despite the decrease, Annandale residents still contributed 11 times as much as the average ZIP code.

According to Federal Election Commission data as of Oct. 25, Annandale residents in the 11th district contributed $304, 221 to candidates and PACs in 2010, compared to $534,580 raised  four years ago.

As Election Day gets closer, candidates are spending their campaign war chests in last-minute efforts to grab voters' attention. Public Campaign Action Fund, a nonpartisan watchdog group, pegs total spending nationwide for this year's House elections at $1.45 billion.

The cost of campaigns has accelerated to such an extent that "people fight like hell to get elected and do what they have to do," said Susan J. Tolchin, professor in the school of public policy at George Mason University in Fairfax.

Figures from the Center for Responsive Politics show in Northern Virginia, incumbent Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), 60, has raised $2,215,272 as of Oct. 13, while his challenger for the 11th District congressional seat, Republican businessman Keith Fimian of Oakton, has raised $2,351,201. This is the second match-up for the two. Connolly, 60, lives in Mantua with wife Cathy; the couple has one daughter. Fimian and his wife, also named Cathy, have three daughters.

"The momentum is on our side in this race," Fimian said in a news release. "Connolly's dwindling financial support and desperate attacks attempting to deflect voters' attention from his failed economic policies and out-of- control spending are a clear indication the race is trending away from him."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee committed more than $1.1 million last week to Connolly's campaign to help with last-minute TV ads, according to the Federal Election Commission.

The DCCC on Thursday released a new radio ad with a Halloween theme featuring what they called Fimian's "scary" views.

Spending

Not counting the last-minute funds flowing in from the DCCC, Connolly has spent $1,363,163, with  $874, 962 cash on hand. Fimian has spent $1,285,038, with  $1,076,286 cash on hand.

A breakdown of Connolly's campaign contributions shows that PACs contributed 45 percent and individuals contributed 51 percent. Of his total $1,363,163, 76 percent was from in-state and the rest was from out-of-state.

The top five industries that contributed were:

• Leadership PACs $109,700
• Public Sector Unions $107,500
• Real Estate $96,099
• Lawyers/Law Firms $79,702
• Retired $76,067

Connolly's top 10 contributors were:

• ActBlue $38,230
• SAIC Inc $20,650
• West Group Management $16,400
• Mantech International $14,800
• Reed Smith LLP $13,800
• Dominion Resources $10,600
• American Assn for Justice $10,000
• American Crystal Sugar $10,000
• American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $10,000
• American Postal Workers Union $10,000

Of Fimian's total, 88 percent is from individuals, PACs contributed 7 percent, and 4 percent or $95,000, is from the candidate himself. Of his total funds, 56 percent was from Virginia and 44 percent was from out-of-state.

The top five industries that contributed were:

• Retired $119,050
• Real Estate $66,500
• Misc Finance $49,100
• Securities & Investment $45,300
• Republican/Conservative $43,650

Fimian's top 10 contributors were:

1.    Kearney & Co $30,800

2.    Miller & Long $12,000

3.    Wells Fargo $10,600

4.    Miller & Smith $10,246

5.    Achristavest $9,600

6.    Ave Maria University $9,600

7.    Diamond Springs Water $9,600

8.    Highview Point Partners $9,600

9.    LE Smith & Assoc $9,600

10. Rwd Technologies $9,600

Top contribution areas from individuals

Neighborhoods in the top 10 ZIP codes that contributed to Connolly's campaign included:

• 22309 (Fairfax Station): $27,134 (2008: $39,325)
• 22079 (Lorton): $16,200 (not among top 10 in 2008)

The top-contributing ZIP codes to Fimian's campaign included:

• 22039 (Fairfax Station):  $16,200 (2008: $22,000)