donehey rapp cellars
Wakefield District Supervisor Debbie Donehey greets supporters during an August event at Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly.
Donehey’s campaign has raised the most
With Election Day fast approaching on Nov. 7, Rappahannock candidates have raised a combined total of over $44,000 during this year’s campaign season.
According to an Oct. 30 analysis from the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) detailing financial reports from the Virginia Department of Elections, candidates in Rappahannock have raised a combined total of $44,281 in this election with the most contributions —$26,436 — supporting Board of Supervisors Chair Debbie Donehey’s reelection campaign.
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Board of Supervisors
Wakefield District
Debbie Donehey, representing the Wakefield District, received 47 cash contributions over $100, totaling $20,842, and another 37 under $100, totaling $3,038, according to VPAP. Donehey has received four in-kind donations worth a combined $2,491, and a “miscellaneous receipt” listed at $65 on the VPAP report. This adds up to $26,436, the most raised locally in the 2023 campaign.
Top contributors to her campaign include Donehey herself, who contributed over $4,400. Rappahannock Cellars, a winery in Huntly, gave a $1,500 in-kind donation. Virginia House Delegate Michael Webert, a Republican who represents Rappahannock County and also is running for reelection, donated $1,000. Republican Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves, who represents Rappahannock, donated $1,000. Other top donors include Roy and Fay Page ($3,000), Paul Gripka ($1,000), Steph Ridder ($450) and Judith Hope ($350), according to the VPAP report.
Donehey is outpacing her challenger Sam Foreback, who has raised $809 as of Oct. 30. Foreback has donated $556 to his campaign and received three donations under $100. Foreback gave the campaign one in-kind donation totaling $120.
Jackson District
In the Jackson District, Donna Comer, who is challenging longtime supervisor Ron Frazier, brought in $7,699 as of Oct. 30, outraising Frazier by nearly $6,000.
According to the VPAP report, Comer received 11 cash donations over $100, totaling $3,350, and 37 for less than $100, totaling $2,929. Comer herself donated one in-kind donation worth $333, and received three other in-kind donations.
Top contributors to Comer’s campaign include Matthew Neiswanger ($1,000), Judith Hope ($700) and Chancellor’s Rock Farm, a sustainable farm near Flint Hill, with a $150 donation, according to the report.
Ron Frazier, who has been on the Board of Supervisors for 28 years, raised $1,749. His campaign has received two cash donations from Frazier himself, and one donation of $99, according to the VPAP. Frazier loaned his campaign $1,000, and made a $400 in-kind donation. He is the only donor to his campaign listed by name in the VPAP report.
Hampton District
Keir Whitson, who is running unopposed in the Hampton District, has raised $7,213 as of Oct. 30.
Whitson received 12 cash donations of over $100, totaling $2,628, and six cash donations under $100, totaling $405. Whitson personally loaned the campaign $4,180.
Whitson’s top donors include Susan Babcock ($500), Judith Hope ($350) and Jeff Smith ($258).
Sheriff
Connie Compton has served as sheriff since 2008 when she became the first female to hold the post in Rappahannock County. She is running unopposed. Compton raised $125 as of Oct. 30.
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Art Goff, the commonwealth’s attorney since 2012, is running unopposed.
No contributions have been made to Goff’s campaign fund since 2019 (the last election cycle), when Goff himself donated $250, and received one other cash donation from Billy Fannon totaling $200. According to the VPAP report, Goff has $176 remaining in his campaign account from the 2019 donations.
School Board
Hampton District
Melissa “Missy” McCool, who is running unopposed for the Hampton District School Board seat, has raised $250, according to the VPAP. McCool received a $200 donation from Hugh Hill III, and another donation of $50.
McCool is the only candidate of the three running for a School Board position, all unopposed, who received any donations, according to the VPAP report. John Wesley Mills, who is running for the Jackson District seat, received no donations in 2023. And, according to VPAP, no finance reports were available for Chris Ubben, who is running in the Wakefield District.
More election coverage:
Voter’s Guide | Election 2023 in Rappahannock County
A look at candidates for county and state offices, plus what you need to know about voting in 2023.
Rappahannock Board of Supervisors candidates face voters at forum
Four candidates in contested races for the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors participated in a well-attended forum Friday evening, providing insights to voters of what they think about current county issues prior to the November election next week.
