11th District GOP Candidates Spent Half Of Money Raised For Primary

FAIRFAX, VA — Republican Party candidates who ran in the June 28 canvass in the 11th District congressional race reported spending more than $137,613.45 on their campaigns. That's about half of the money they reported raising in political donations, according to the latest financial filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Five Republican candidates reported receiving a combined $340,164.01 in donations for the canvass, but only spent a combined $137,613.45, which is a difference of $202,550.56. The FEC reported that it did not have financial filings from the two other candidates in the race, Arthur Purves and Manuel Sam Wong.

Once all votes were tallied, Stewart Whitson, the senior director of federal affairs at the conservative Foundation for Government Accountability, was declared the winner, receiving a total of 1,019 votes (39.18 percent). Karina Lipsman, who works for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, came in second with 620 votes (23.84%).

A special election to fill the vacant seat in Virginia's 11th Congressional District after the May 21 cancer death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) is scheduled for Sept. 9. Both Democrats and Republicans hosted primary events on June 28 to choose their candidates, with Democrats choosing Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Republican Canvass Results

1,019 - Stewart Whitson (Winner - 39.18%)
620 - Karina Lipsman (23.84%)
586 - Mike Van Meter (22.53%)
198 - Lucas Rand (7.61%)
99 - Sam Wong (3.81%)
40 - Nathan Headrick (1.54%)
39 - Arthur Purves (1.50%)

"We had people who stepped up immediately, and we had some people who stepped up two weeks out," said the GOP's 11th District Chair Rosie Oakly on the day of the Republican canvass. "They've done an amazing job of really energizing the people that they know. We've held two candidate forums. We've had a number of opportunities for the public to meet the candidates, and people are excited."

Given that the GOP has long been touted as the party of fiscal responsibility, it's perhaps not too surprising that five Republican candidates spent a fraction (0.06%) of the $2,288,768.21 that nine Democratic Party candidates spent on their firehouse primary. The Democrats also spent about $339,000 more than they raised in political donations, according to FEC filings.

Of course, 10 candidates ran in the Democratic primary where 37,624 votes were cast compared to seven Republicans competing in their party's canvass, where just 1,019 voters cast ballots. In addition, the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project describes the 11th District as "Strongly Democratic."

Just like the Democratic primary race, where Amy Roma spent about $200,000 more on her campaign than Walkinshaw, spending the most did not guarantee a victory for Republican candidates.

Both Lipsman ($19,922.80) and Nathan Headrick ($103,127.29) outspent Whitson ($9,959.96), the eventual winner. That meant Headrick spent $2,062.54 (50) per vote, compared to Whitson's $9.77.

How Much Candidates Spent On GOP Canvass

• $103,127.29 - Nathan Headrick
• $19,922.80 - Karina Lipsman
• $9,959.96 - Stewart Whitson
• $9,782.98 - Lucas Rand
• $4,603.40 - Mike Van Meter
• $0 - Sam Wong
• $0 - Arthur Purves

Donations Received In GOP Canvass

• $252,394.70 - Nathan Headrick reported spending $103,127.29 on his campaign and refunding $149,267.41 in contributions. This left him $0 in the bank on July 9.
• $35,106.50 - Lucas Rand reported spending $9,782.98 on his campaign, which left him with $25,323.52 in the bank on June 30.
• $22,160 - Karina Lipsman reported spending $19,922.80 on her campaign from Jan. 1-June 30. This left her with $5,103.68 in the bank.
• $21,320 - Stewart Whitson received $6,426.55 in loans. From April 1 to June 30, he spent $9,959.96, which left him with $17,786.59 in the bank and $6,426.55 in loan debt.
• $4,579.41 - Michael Van Meter started with $3,098.64 in the bank on Jan. 1 and spent $4,603.40, which left him with $3,074.64 on hand on June 30.
• $0 - Arthur Purves: As of July 18, a financial filing was not available for Purves, according to the FEC
• $0 - Manuel Sam Wong: As of July 18, a financial filing was not available for Wong, according to the FEC.

Also See ...

• Stewart Whitson Running For Congress To Listen, Represent Voters' Values
• Opposing Trump Policies Reason Walkinshaw Seeks To Succeed Connolly In Congress
• Independent Candidate Not On Ballot In 11th District Race
• Democrats Announce Winner Of 11th District Firehouse Primary
• Stewart Whitson Wins GOP Canvass In 11th District Race
• Virginia Congressman Dies After Cancer Diagnosis

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