In Tight Race for VA-05, Gloria Witt Surges Ahead in Fundraising, Outpacing John McGuire Amid GOP Turmoil

Amid the ongoing GOP intra-party feud in the 5th District, Democratic Nominee Gloria Witt outraised Republican Nominee John McGuire in the third quarter of 2024. Pulling in over $218,000 in contributions this period–a 476 percent increase from Q2–Witt now has more cash on hand than McGuire.

Witt’s surge in fundraising comes as McGuire still struggles to gain party support. In September, the Washington Post reported that Republicans in the 5th District began organizing a write-in campaign for Congressman Bob Good, who lost the nomination to McGuire in June. Some told the Post that they wouldn’t even vote for Donald Trump because of his endorsement of McGuire. The Virginia Mercury then reported that the 5th District GOP Committee withheld funds from McGuire’s campaign. The ultimate point of desperation came when the Republican Party of Virginia forced members of the 5th District Committee to make loyalty oaths to McGuire. Four members were kicked out of the committee after they refused to support McGuire, as the Virginia Mercury reported at the end of September.

“While Republicans are in disarray in the 5th District, Gloria Witt is laser-focused on running a winning campaign. Her impressive surge in fundraising is proof that Virginians in the 5th District know that she will stand up for them,” DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker said. “There’s a reason John McGuire isn’t raising money–he still doesn’t have the support of his own party.”