For the second quarter in 2014 (April 1, 2014 until June 30, 2014) Barbara Comstock(R) raised $739,767.35. During the same period John Foust(D) raised $555,148.83.
In raw fundraising, Comstock continues to outpace Foust.
Foust attempts to spin his numbers
Foust boasted two things as a result of the second quarter fundraising numbers. First he claims to have twice the cash on hand as Barbara Comstock, “$1.1 million cash on hand compared to $576 thousand for Comstock.” Secondly, he claims to have raised $699,931.67 from April 7 – June 30, 2014.
Foust’s numbers are artificially inflated by loans to the campaign
Foust has taken out $400,000.00 in loans to the campaign. $150,000.00 of this borrowed money came in the second quarter. Under no realistic assessment can one be considered to have “raised” money that is actually borrowed. In reality, with the loans backed out, Foust has $725,718.40 cash on hand. For the second quarter he raised $555,148.83 as reflected in two FEC filings 1, 2. When Foust claims to have raised just under $700,000.00 he is making it up.
Comstock raised more money in the second quarter
Part of the money Comstock raised in the second quarter was in the previously filed quarterly report. In fact, from April 1 to April 7, 2014 as far as I can tell Comstock raised $160,320.00. In the remainder of the second quarter Comstock raised $579,147.35, for a second quarter total of $739,467.35. This number may be even higher as some contributions were not itemized. Comstock’s cash on hand is $575,890.52 with no loans, about $150,000 less than Foust. Comstock had a significant nomination fight, the reason behind the smaller cash on hand.
Foust trails Comstock in fundraising
Comstock outraised Foust by about $185,000 in the second quarter. The campaign is strong and building. Foust has resorted to borrowing money to inflate his cash on hand and quarterly fundraising numbers. Consider the facts and choose who you trust more with taxpayer money in Washington.
