Avula overtakes Roday for fundraising lead as both mayoral candidates near $1 million
Dr. Danny Avula raised more than $300,000 for his Richmond mayoral run in the latest fundraising period, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday, a haul that made him the top fundraiser in the race heading into September.
Avula, a longtime public health official who oversaw Virginia’s vaccination effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, raised more than the four other candidates combined and nearly doubled the $154,584 rival Harrison Roday raised between July 1 and Aug. 31.
In a statement Tuesday, Avula's campaign said the numbers show "overwhelming enthusiasm and excitement for Danny's campaign."
"I look forward to bringing needed change to Richmond and helping all our
families thrive while making Richmond the best it can be," Avula said. "I am so thankful for this community’s support and generosity and the confidence so many people are placing in me."
Roday, a former finance professional turned software investor, had led the mayoral field in fundraising earlier this year.
Avula entered September with $657,126 in his campaign bank account and has started running a television ad introducing himself to Richmond voters as he makes his first run for elected office. Roday, also a first-time candidate, finished the period with a balance of $376,617.
Roday's campaign said his bid is backed by a "broad and diverse coalition of supporters."
"That momentum is reflected in our endorsements, including from the Richmond Crusade for Voters, the Richmond Education Association, and New Virginia Majority, who are all bringing significant energy to our campaign," Roday campaign manager Nick Scott said in a written statement. "It’s reflected in our fundraising numbers, which will empower us to communicate our commitment to defending our shared Democratic values – including reproductive freedom and freedom from gun violence."
Former Richmond City Council president Michelle Mosby trailed well behind both Avula and Roday, with $66,820 raised and $133,451 in her account. Mosby's campaign declined to comment.
City Councilor Andreas Addison (1st District) was fourth in fundraising after taking in $32,808 and ending the period with $12,350 in the bank. Addison's campaign couldn't be reached for comment.
Self-described community organizer and entrepreneur Maurice Neblett took in $306 and finished with $730 on hand.
Neblett has portrayed his minimal fundraising as a sign of bottom-up authenticity and freedom from big donors.
"When I look at what I have, I have community connections. They don't," Neblett said of his opponents Tuesday. "They have the money. But they don’t have the memories."
Avula’s biggest contributor for the period was Housing RVA, a developer-funded PAC that gave his campaign $42,500 in August.
Roday received another $20,000 from Genworth Financial President and CEO Thomas McInerney, who has now given Roday a total of $90,000.
One of Mosby’s noteworthy contributors was Alfred Liggins, the CEO of the Urban One media company that tried to build a casino in Richmond but failed after city voters rejected the idea twice. Liggins gave Mosby $10,000. She also received a $6,000 contribution from former Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones.
Money isn’t necessarily a decisive factor, but it can help fund media campaigns and outreach that can get mayoral candidates noticed with many voters focused more on presidential politics than the local battle over City Hall.
The next round of fundraising reports will be filed Oct. 15.
Early voting starts this weekend in Richmond, and the candidates will share a stage twice this week, beginning with a mayoral forum tonight at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church.
