Keys-Gamarra Out-Raises Opponent Hoffman Maskeny In District 7 Race

RESTON, VA — Democrat Karen Keys-Gamarra has far out-raised her opponent, Republican Luellan Hoffman Maskeny, in the race to fill the vacant House of Delegates seat in the 7th District.

In the latest campaign finance filing last Friday, Keys-Gamarra reported that she received $21,001 between July 1 and Aug. 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Hoffman Maskeny, who announced her candidacy in June, reported receiving $695 in in-kind donations between July 12 and Aug. 31. She was the lone donor and reported spending all of that money on her campaign. As of the end of August, the Friends of Luellen Hoffman Maskeny political action committee reported having a $0 balance.

Keys-Gamarra's top five donations for the reporting period were:

• VA Dental Political Action Committee: $1,500
• Friends of Charniele Herring: $1,000
• FirePAC Local 2068 Inc. $1,000
• HCA For Good Government PAC: $1,000
• Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Cope Fund: $1,000

In addition, Keys-Gamarra received $4,311 in cash donations of $100 or less and $764 in in-kind donations. She also reported $11,096 in expenses between July 1 and Aug. 31. Among those expenses was $895 for advertising on Patch.com.

After the new donations were added to the $13,770 Keys-Gamarra reported having on July 1 and expenses subtracted, her campaign had a balance of $23,675 on Aug. 31.

This will be the first general election under the recently redrawn General Assembly districts. During the 2023 legislative session, Ken Plum was the delegate representing the old 36th District. The new 7th District covers Reston and Oakton.

Patch reported in February that Plum would not seek reelection in November. Since then, Plum has endorsed Keys-Gamarra, who defeated three opponents in the June 20 Democratic Party Primary.

The first absentee ballots for the General Election will be mailed on Friday, Sept. 22, which is also when early voting begins. Early voting will continue through Nov. 4, which is three days before Election Day.

More information about how to register to vote, vote early, request an absentee ballot and find your polling place in Fairfax County is available online.