In Q1, McAuliffe Grosses $5.1M, Cuccinelli $2.4M

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic fundraising maven Terry McAuliffe raked in $5.1 million for his own Virginia gubernatorial quest the first quarter of this year.

His Republican rival, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, raised about $2.4 million, but had about half the time to do it because of the law banning officeholders from raising cash during the 46-day General Assembly session.

McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman and master rainmaker for Bill and Hillary Clinton’s presidential bids, raised 21 percent more than he did for the same period four years ago when he lost the nomination to rival Creigh Deeds.

Cuccinelli’s first quarter totals were 8 percent ahead of Republican Bob McDonnell’s $2.2 million for the same quarter in 2009.

McAuliffe started April with nearly $5.2 million in the bank to Cuccinelli’s $3 million.