Petersen Raises Over $1M In Bid To Defeat Challenger Salim In June 20 Democratic Primary

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Chap Petersen has raised more than $1 million in his bid to win reelection to the Virginia Senate in the 37th District in November. However, he still faces a challenge in the June 20 Democratic Party primary from newcomer Saddam Salim.

Back in April, Patch reported that Petersen had raised $881,635 between Jan. 1 and March 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. During that same period, Salim raised $87,069.

As of June 8, Petersen has raised a total of $1,057,619 since the beginning of the year compared to Salim's total of $188,653, according to the latest campaign finance filings.

Petersen's top donors since the March 31 filing were:

• $10,000 - Jefferson Village Association LP
• $10,000 - Virginia Automobile & Truck Dealers PAC
• $10,000 - Betting on Virginia Jobs PAC
• $7,500 - Virginia Trial Lawyers Political Action Committee
• $5,000 - Allen Allen Allen & Allen, Locke for Senate, Yates Kimberly, Asel Mary, Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association PAC, HBAV Build-PAC, Virginia Chamber PAC

Petersen's top donors by occupation were:

• Real Estate Developers: Jefferson Village Association LP,
• Auto and Truck Dealer PAC: Virginia Automobile & Truck Dealers PAC
• Gaming-Casinos/Lottery/Bingo: Betting on Virginia Jobs
• Trial Lawyers PAC: Virginia Trial Lawyers Political Action Committee; Allen Allen Allen & Allen
• Candidate PAC: Locke for Senate
• Attorney: Kimberly Yates
• Services - Haircare, Drycleaners, Etc.: Mary Asel
• Beverages-Alcohol Distributors/Brokers: Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association
• Housing Industry PAC: HBAV Build-PAC
• Pro-Business PAC: Virginia Chamber PAC

Salim's top donors since the March 31 filing were:

• $20,000 - Sonja Smith
• $11,000 - Indian American Impact
• $7,500 - Willard James
• $5,000 - Lawrence Hess, Energized for Change
• $4,800 - Dana Barakat
• $3,000 - Jihan Andoni
• $2,600 - IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund
• $2,000 - Issam Hanna Andoni
• $1,000 - Abbas Abutaa, Lisa Cohen, Basem Hishmeh, A&H Evergreen Company Inc., FirePAC Local 2068, Fatima Abdallah, Nancy Klain, Jack Kiraly

Salim's top donors by occupation were:

• Non-Wage Earners: Sonjia Smith, Willard James, Jihan Andoni, Basem Hishmeh
• Indian American and South Asian Advocacy Group: Indian American Impact
• Realtors: Lawrence Hess
• Candidate PAC (Del. Eileen Filler-Corn): Energized for Change
• Miscellaneous Single-Issue: Dana Barakat
• Union PAC: IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund
• Information Technology - General: Issam Hanna Andoni
• Service Stations/Convenience Stores: Abbas Abutaa
• Farmers - General: Lisa Cohen
• Automotive: A&H Evergreen Company Inc.
• Firefighters PAC: FirePAC Local 2068
• Miscellaneous Health Care: Fatima Abdallah
• Attorney/Law Firms: Nancy Klain
• Democrat - Individuals: Jack Kiraly

Petersen also outspent Salim from March 31 to June 8. He reported $483,526 in expenses compared to Salim's $119,595.

Most of Petersen's expenses were for campaigning ($92,935). Most of that money ($66,012) went toward Mail/Printing/Postage, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone in the district who has gone to their mailbox over the last three months.

Like Petersen, Salim spent most of his money since the beginning of April on campaigning ($18,532), with $9,800 going to staff/consultants and $4,773 to Mail/Printing/Postage.

Salim also reported spending $2,449 on voter lists, which turned out to be an other area Petersen outspent him on ($14,179).

Going into the final days of the primary campaign, Petersen had $687,007 in cash on hand between his two political action committees: Fairfax Commonsense PAC ($132,815) and Petersen for Senate-Chap ($554,192).

Once all of his contributions and expenditures were counted, Salim had $36,753 cash on hand as of June 8.

Early voting in the District 37 race ends on Saturday, with the Democratic Party primary taking place next Tuesday. The primary is open to all registered voters in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church, even those who may identify themselves as Republicans or independents.

The primary winner will go on to face Republican Ken Reid, who announced his candidacy in April, in the November general election.

Related:

• 13 New Voting Locations Open Saturday For 2023 Democratic Primary
• Deadline Passes; No Lawsuit Filed By Petersen Campaign Against Salim
• 2023 Democratic Primary: Early Voting Starts Friday In Fairfax City
• Chap Petersen Campaign Threatens To Sue Opponent Salim Over Websites
• Democrats Petersen, Salim Tell Personal Stories To Define Who They Are
• Petersen Outraises 2 Primary Opponents In Virginia Senate Race: VPAP
• Petersen Touts Advocacy For Children, Elderly, Small Business
• Salim Defeats Petersen In Fairfax Democratic Committee Straw Poll Vote
• Yalowitz Drops Out Of 37th Senate Race, Leaving Petersen Facing Salim
• Petersen Touts Record, Looks To Step Into Leadership Role In VA Senate
• Erika Yalowitz Third Democrat Running For VA Senate In 37th District
• Saddam Azlan Salim To Challenge Chap Petersen In June 20 Primary
• Gun Control, Reproductive Rights Top Priorities For Senate Candidate