Fort Hunt: A Little Bit Democrat, a Little Bit Republican

Politically, Fort Hunt appears to have something of a split personality.

On the national level this election cycle, Fort Hunt residents so far have donated $258,250 to congressional candidates, national political action committees and presidential campaigns, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. 

That's 23 times more than the national average of $11,132 per ZIP code, according to the center.

Of that $258,250, 82 percent has gone to Republicans. 

But when it comes to voting, Fort Hunt tends to lean Democratic in most recent elections with the exception of helping elect Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2009. McDonnell is something of a local boy, having grown up next door in Mount Vernon and attended Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria.

Fort Hunt precincts went for Democrats Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-11th) and Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th) last year, as well as helping elect two Democratic senators, Sen. Mark Warner in 2008 and Sen. Jim Webb in 2006. Those Democrats won all Fort Hunt precincts in their most recent elections, except for Fort Hunt Precinct #605 going for Republican Keith Fimian over Connolly last year.

In 2009, McDonnell won the governor's race with help from three of Fort Hunt's four precincts, with the exception of #606 Hollin Hall.

In 2008, Fort Hunt split the vote between Barack Obama and John McCain in the presidential election, with precincts #605 (Fort Hunt) and #612 (Waynewood) going to McCain, and #606 (Hollin Hall) and #611 (Stratford) going to Obama.

Fort Hunt heavy hitters give to Republicans on national stage 

• A big chunk of that nearly $260,000 in political donations on the national stage comes from the largest political contributor in Fort Hunt, sometime-political adviser and lobbyist Richard Hohlt, dubbed by Newsweek as a "man of mystery" and the New York Times as "Mr. Inside" because of his under-the-radar dealings with D.C. power brokers. He has donated more than $60,000 this year to Republican committees, PACs and candidates, including to presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Senate candidate George Allen, the former governor and senator from neighboring Mount Vernon.
• Another large donor from Fort Hunt is Daniel Meyer, a senior vice president of the Duberstein Group lobbying firm. He has donated about $30,000 to Republican PACs and candidates, including George Allen and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
• Former Minnesota congressman and Fort Hunt resident Vin Weber is another heavy hitter when it comes to politican contributions. Weber, managing partner of Clark & Weinstock, has donated about $15,000 to Republican PACs and candidates this year including to fellow Minnesotan, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who dropped out of the GOP presidential primary race.
• Also on the political contributions radar is former Louisiana congressman and Fort Hunt resident Robert Livingston, president of The Livingston Group, who has donated about $7,000 to GOP candidates and PACs, including to George Allen.

Some of the top political receipients of 22308 political donations this year so far are:

• The National Republican Congressional Committee,: $42,800
• Democrat Tim Kaine, former governor and DNC chair running for U.S. Senate: $15,400
• Republican George Allen, former governor and U.S. senator, running for U.S. Senate: $12,150
• Republican National Committee: $7,000
• GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney: $6,450
• GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich: $6,250

On the presidential hopefuls scene, in addition to Romney and Gingrich, Fort Hunt residents are also donating to President Obama’s re-election campaign as well as the campaigns of GOP contenders Herman Cain, and Rick Perry.

On local level, Fort Hunt donates to Democrats

Fort Hunt tends to donate to Democrats and/or incumbents when it comes to statehouse and local races, with the exception of the chairman's race for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, according to figures from the Virginia Public Access Project:

44^th House District

Incumbent Democrat Scott Surovell: $19,770 (22308 is the top ZIP code for Surovell )

Republican John Barsa: $900

Independent Green Joseph Glean: 0

30^th State Senate District

Democrat Adam Ebbin: $250

Republican Tim McGhee: 0

36^th State Senate District

Incumbent Democrat Linda "Toddy" Puller: $11,250

Republican Jeff Frederick:  $1,425

Mount Vernon District Supervisor

Incumbent Democrat Gerry Hyland: $11,110

Independent candidate Gail Parker: 0

Fairfax County Board Supervisor Chairman

Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova: 0

Republican Spike Williams: $1,434