Harding Leads Fundraising In VA-7 GOP Primary, FEC Reports Show

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Republican congressional candidates Phillip Harding and Doug Ollivant entered the final weeks before Virginia's Aug. 4 primary after raising hundreds of thousands of dollars combined, according to the latest Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports.

The winner of the Republican primary will advance to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman in the Nov. 3 general election.

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Financial reports filed with the FEC show Harding raised substantially more in itemized contributions than Ollivant during the reporting period. Harding reported about $202,527 in itemized contributions, while Ollivant reported about $118,860 in itemized contributions.

Top Donors Reflect Different Campaign Networks

Harding's largest reported contributor was the candidate himself, with $11,603.32 contributed to his campaign. His other largest contributors included:

• Anthony Goss of IFI, sales – $7,000
• Caroline Reily, executive – $7,000
• William Reily, executive – $7,000
• Dana Marlin, homemaker – $3,643.56
• John Marlin, MA Partners, real estate developer – $3,643.56
• Josh Harris of Pappas Harris Capital – $3,500
• Dalton Nichols of Genesis Tech – $3,500
• David Leonardo, president of Hollister Jet Center – $3,500
• Lee Fluitt, retired – $3,500

The filings suggest Harding drew support from business executives, investors, real estate professionals and his own personal investment in the campaign.

Ollivant's campaign was backed by a different mix of contributors, with its largest reported donations including:

• John Good of Shockey Property Management – $7,000
• Adrian Bailey, construction manager at JBR Inc. – $5,000
• John Blaha, CEO of Lexipol – $5,000
• Kathleen Blaha, retired – $5,000
• Kenneth Parsons, retired – $5,000
• Sharon Bailey, Realtor – $5,000
• Kevin Keating, retired – $4,500
• Douglas Lute, owner of Cambridge Global Advisors – $3,500
• Kenneth Stroud, contractor at Prosodel – $3,500
• T. Christopher Roth, retired – $3,500

Ollivant's donor base included retired military and business leaders, executives, real estate professionals and private-sector business owners.

Smithers Reports Unavailable

Campaign finance reports for Ricky Smithers were not available through the Federal Election Commission database as of publication, preventing a comparison of his fundraising with the other Republican candidates.

Patch contacted the Smithers campaign to ask whether the reports had been filed and whether the campaign planned to submit them before the Aug. 4 primary. The campaign did not respond before publication.

This story will be updated if the campaign responds or if Smithers' campaign finance reports become available.