Lee District race: Kautz tops in fundraising; Lusk and Migliaccio boast endorsements

Larysa Kautz has the fundraising edge thus far in the Lee District Supervisor Democratic primary, outraising her nearest opponent by close to $18,000 through the first three months of the year, according to campaign finance filings made public last week.

Kautz, a Groveton resident who works as chief of staff and general counsel for the nonprofit Melwood, received $61,595 in donations through the end of March. More than $47,000 was from donations of more than $100, while $2,700 came from donations of $100 or less. In-kind donations made up the rest of Kautz’s total.

Those figures were compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that breaks down campaign finance disclosures and other election data.

Kautz is one of four candidates running to replace current Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, who is a running for chairman of the Board of Supervisors. No Republicans or independents have entered the Lee District race so far.

Fundraising numbers through March 30

Kelly Hebron: $21,517

Larysa Kautz: $61,595

Rodney Lusk: $43,639

James Migliaccio: $24,037

Rodney Lusk, a former Lee District Planning Commissioner who works for the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, raised $43,683 through the end of March. Lusk’s campaign had 165 donors, and the donations were an almost even split between small donors ($100 or less) and large donors. Donors who work in real estate or construction accounted from $8,350 of Lusk’s donations.

Lee District Planning Commissioner James Migliaccio raised $24,037 through the end of March. Migliaccio’s donations were from a total of 84 donors, with the majority giving $100 or less. Migliaccio had $10,231 on hand at the end of March.

Kelly Hebron, a college professor and lawyer who founded the From Prison to Paralegal program, raised $21,517 through the end of March. Hebron had 86 donors, with 62 donating $100 or less.

Lusk, Migliaccio land big-name endorsements

Lusk and Migliaccio, the only two Lee District candidates to have previously held positions within the county government, have picked up the highest-profile endorsements so far.

Both current Board Chairman Sharon Bulova and former Board Chairman Gerry Connolly — now a congressman in Virginia’s 11th district — threw their support behind Lusk at the beginning of the race. Early in his career Lusk worked as a land use aide in Connolly’s office.

Two other current members of the Board of Supervisors — Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth — have also lined up behind Lusk.

Migliaccio doesn’t boast as many big name endorsements, but does have the support of the two state politicians who represent the majority of Lee District. Both Del. Mark Sickles (D-43) and State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) have endorsed Migliaccio. No other state-level politicians have made endorsements in the race.

While current Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay isn’t expected to make an endorsement in the race, former Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman has. Kauffman, who served as supervisor from 1995-2007, has endorsed Lusk.