Big money in 24th race

Story by Chris Graham

Big money is flowing into the hotly contested Republican Party primary in the 24th Senate District – and it’s going out as quickly as candidates Emmett Hanger and Scott Sayre can spend it.

Hanger, the three-term incumbent from Mount Solon, raised $87,864 in the April 1-May 30 reporting period, according to a report filed with the State Board of Elections on Monday. Sayre, the Buena Vista businessman challenging Hanger for the nomination, raised $85,504.76 in the same reporting period, according to a report that his campaign filed for the same reporting period on Monday.

According to the two reports, Hanger’s campaign spent $94,063.06 in the period, and Sayre’s campaign spent $87,276.86 in the period.

The Hanger camp was left with a balance as of the close of business on May 30 of $111,364.22. The Sayre campaign had a balance of $30,999.84.

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The bulk of Sayre’s fund raising for the April 1-May 30 reporting period came in a single check written on May 25 by Harrisonburg businessman Walter Curt.

Curt contributed $50,000 to the Sayre campaign.

Curt is the former owner of Shenandoah Electronic Intelligence, a data-services company that was sold in 2005 to the Reston-based SI International.

Hanger’s campaign picked up some significant individual contributions itself, including a $10,000 check from George Logan, a self-employed investor from Earlysville, on May 5, a $5,000 contribution from self-employed Norfolk investor John Wynne on April 27, and a $2,500 contribution from House of Delegates member Tommy Norment on April 30.

Also showing up on Hanger’s report was a $7,500 contribution from the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association, a $2,000 contribution from the Virginia Transportation Alliance, three contributions totaling $1,750 from the Virginia Education Association PAC and a $1,000 contribution from defense contractor Northrop Grumman.

The Sayre campaign has not to date received the support that was expected from the Virginia Conservative Action PAC – which endorsed him in March.

According to his campaign finance report, Sayre has picked up one contribution from VCAP to date – a $1,000 contribution received on April 12.

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Other figures of note:

– As of May 30, Hanger had raised a total of $232,321.38 for his campaign – and spent $169,473.62. Hanger had a balance of $48,516.46 at the beginning of the 2007 election cycle.

– As of May 30, Sayre had raised a total of $152,707.71 for his campaign – and spent $121,707.87.

(Originally published 06-06-07)