Goodlatte outraising Rasoul nearly five to one

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: July 16, 2008

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte holds an almost 5-1 advantage over Democratic challenger Sam Rasoul in Sixth District fundraising according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Goodlatte has raised $981,590 to Rasoul’s $190,388, though in itemized individual contributions, the margin is closer – $394,073 from 625 donors for Goodlatte to Rasoul’s $131,629 from 143 donors. In unitemized contributions, Goodlatte has raised $65,095 to Rasoul’s $35,637. The reports cover the time period from Jan. 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008. 
In itemized contributions from those living in the Augusta County region, Goodlatte has raised $11,050 from 20 different donors, 14 of those coming from Staunton residents. Rasoul has raised no local money thus far, according to his campaign finance report.
However, Goodlatte has raised $434,925 from 240 political action committee contributions, many of those coming from agriculture-related companies. Rasoul, meanwhile, has raised just $107.
In the current reporting period – covering from May 22 to June 30, 2008, Goodlatte has raised $86,187.75 in net contributions, while Rasoul has raised about half that amount - $41,741.
Six local names were on the list of those contributing $1,000 or more to Goodlatte’s campaign, led by Staunton homemaker Iris Carr, who gave $2,000.
Other names of those who contributed $1,000 each were Howard Hahn, of Weyers Cave; Randolph H. Laird, of Afton; Robert Rouse, of Waynesboro; Thomas Gilmer Sheets, of Staunton; and Thomas Sheets, of Staunton.