Incumbents Puller, Barker in GOP Cross-Hairs

As Election Day nears, Virginia Republicans are keeping a close eye on several tight races across the state, hoping to wrest control of the state Senate away from the Democrats.

George Mason University Professor Mark Rozell told Reuters that if Republicans take the state Senate, it could spell trouble next year for President Obama, who won the state in 2008. Northern Virginia has seen visits in recent weeks from Michelle Obama, second lady Jill Biden, former President  and GOP presidential hopeful .

Democrats and Republicans in Virginia are duking it out down to the wire, throwing cash at campaigns across the state where they see trouble. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, last-minute contributions reported by candidates from Oct. 27 through 5 p.m. Friday show:

• Democratic campaign contributions: $2,267,641
• Republican campaign contributions:  $1,567,595

At least two tight races—in the 36th and 39th Senate districts—are in Northern Virginia. The candidates in those races are state Sen. Linda "Toddy" Puller (D), running against Republican Jeff Frederick, and state Sen. George Barker (D), running against Republican attorney M. Miller Baker.

Frederick, a former delegate, was ousted as chairman of the state Republican party two years ago, but is hoping to make a comeback on Tuesday. Puller has represented the Mount Vernon area for 20 years in Richmond, the past 12 years as a state senator.

Last-minute contributions to Puller's campaign, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4, are at $86,046 as of Friday. In that same time period, Frederick saw $45,085. 

For the entire campaign, Puller has taken in $591,987, with just over $85,000 from out-of-state donations. With the additional $86,046, Puller now stands at $788,527.

For the entire campaign, Frederick saw $612,042, with more than $105,000 coming from out-of-state donations. 

As of Oct. 27, Barker is ranked #2 among state Senate candidates in the amount of donations he has received, which was $234,748, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4. In that same time, Baker has seen $77,619.

For the entire campaign, Barker has taken in $1,128,230, with $67,800 flowing in from out of state.

For the entire campaign, Baker has seen $631,823, with $59,853 coming from out of state.