Jody Wagner Raises $400,000

Jody W. Wagner, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, announced today she raised $400,000 for her campaign during the second half of 2008. Wagner will report she has $285,000 in the bank.

Wagner, who entered the race in August, is facing Richmond political consultant Rich Savage and Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Southwest Virginia, for the nomination.

Wagner is the first Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor to release their fundraising numbers. Bowerbank's report will be especially interesting. When he announced his candidacy in May, Bowerbank dumped $223,000 of his own money into his campaign.

Bowerbank's only two contributors were his employees, but Democratic officials say he has since stepped up his outreach to donors, including attending a fundraiser last week in Fairfax County.