Politics & Government
Romney Outpaces Obama in McLean in Campaign Fundraising
McLean donors support Romney 2 to 1
McLean's political donors are supporting GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney 2-to-1 over President Obama, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Romney raised a little over $500,000 in the two McLean zip codes in the past year compared with about $250,000 for Obama, according to a list of Virginia donors to presidential candidates compiled by the project.
Both men have raised more than $2 million in all of Virginia, but nearly 20 percent of Romney's money came from McLean.
Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Besides having more money to contribute than other Virginians, McLean residents are demonstrating in a very obvious way how wealthy citizens are the most politically attuned members of society," said Geoff Skelley, a political analyst at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
"While everyone is affected by governmental policies, wealthy individuals are in a position to utilize their money to influence officials so as to benefit their interest," he said.
Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
GOP presidential contender and McLean resident Newt Gingrich raised $347,060 in all of Virginia with nearly $45,000 coming from McLean.
Presidential candidate and Great Falls resident Rick Santorum received $292,927 from Virginia contributors, with less than $10,000 from McLean. Santorum suspended his campaign Tuesday.
"It shouldn’t be surprising that McLean is home to the most generous campaign contributors in the state of Virginia," Skelley said. "The 22101 and 22102 ZIP codes are just about the richest in the state and are among the wealthiest in the country.”
McLean's median household income is nearly $165,000, according to the U.S. Census. Great Falls is the only jurisdiction that has a higher median household income with $189,000. The median household income for Fairfax County is $105,000.
McLean is also the address of major Republican and Democratic fundraisers.
Fred Malek is a wealthy businessman who served as national finance co-chair of John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Bobbie Kilberg formerly worked at the White House and is now president of the Northern Virginia Tech Council.
In a few weeks, Obama and former President Bill Clinton will attend a fundraiser at the home of leading Democratic fundraiser and McLean resident Terry McAuliffe.
McAuliffe is former chair of the Democratic National Committee, Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign manager, and unannounced candidate for Virginia governor in 2013. He and his wife frequently open their home for Democratic fundraisers.
"McLean is known for being home to many high-ranking government officials and many major companies," Skelley said. "The people living and working in McLean are not only wealthy but are also important players in the DC power structure."
Obama Romney Gingrich Santorum Total Va 2,247,498 $2,739,420 $347,060 $292,927 McLean
22101 $126,099 317,670 27,650
NA 22102 $123,977 189,090 16,250 NA Total McLean $250,076 506,760 43,900
Here are McLean campaign donors who have given $5,000 or more either to Mitt Romney or President Obama.
22101 Barack Obama Contributors
Smith, Diana
SCHENCK, JAMES MR
* Virginia Public Access Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Richmond.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
