[2]While there has been a significant amount of discussion about the fundraising numbers for the presidential candidates, it appears as though at least one local Congressional candidate will be reporting some impressive numbers. Including the $200,000 she raised in the month of March alone, Judy Feder’s Congressional campaign received over $310,000 in contributions during the first quarter of 2008. When you combine the fact that 538 individual donors donated online with the fact that she now has $700,000 cash on hand that can be used to reach out to potential supporters, I’d say the momentum is definitely in Feder’s campaign.

It appears as though Feder’s campaign would agree with that sentiment as well. In an statement made earlier today, the campaign focused on how this momentum will help them build off of all the work they did in 2006.

“Our momentum is building. Our fundraising success has built a foundation that will give us the financial resources and the grassroots capacity to win in November,” said Feder. Virginians are tired of empty promises and blue ribbon commissions, they want real leadership.”

In 2006, Judy Feder mounted the strongest challenge to Frank Wolf in nearly a quarter century. Though Feder entered the 2006 race a mere 10 months before Election Day, she cut dramatically into Wolf’s margin, revealing a growing call for change in the district. That call has grown, as voters in the 10th and across the Commonwealth are demanding that Congress begin to address rising health care costs, a weakened economy and a war in Iraq that has sapped the ability of our nation to focus on the priorities of the American people.

It is also worth noting that these numbers were high even though many Virginians were donating to the presidential campaigns during the last quarter. As the various Congressional primaries are beginning to approach, I imagine people will once again return their attention (and perhaps their dollars) to these races.