Favola has big cash advantage in latest finance report

State Sen. Barbara Favola had 220 times the cash on hand as her Republican opponent, as the campaigns began gearing up for the general election.

Favola (D-31st) reported $171,665 in her campaign coffers as of June 30, based on reports released July 15 by the State Board of Elections.

George Forakis, a Republican who is challenging Favola, had $782 on hand, according to data evaluated by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Favola, who since first winning election in 2011 has built up a healthy war chest, garnered $40,405 in contributions during the latest reporting period, which ran from May 28 to June 30. During that period, she also donated nearly $50,000 to the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus’s efforts at retaking the majority in the upper house.

Forakis raised $2,131 during the period.

Favola was serving as an Arlington County Board member in 2011 when she ran to succeed retiring state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple in the 31st. She defeated Jaime Areizaga-Soto in the Democratic primary and went on to defeat Republican Caren Merrick in the general election.

The 31st District, as currently configured, runs from Arlington through parts of McLean, Great Falls and a small portion of northeastern Loudoun County. The political composition of the district runs from heavily Democratic in its eastern portions to shading Republican the further west it goes.