Bob McDonnell, the front-running Republican nominee for the Virginia governorship, began October with nearly $2 million more in his campaign account than Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds, according to updated campaign finance reports filed Thursday by the two campaigns competing in the Nov. 3 election.

McDonnell, a former state attorney general, raised $3.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions for the month of September and ended the period with $4.5 million left to spend. For Deeds, a state senator, the figures were $3.5 million in September contributions and $2.8 million in available funds.

Both campaigns have raised more than enough to wage competitive statewide campaigns. McDonnell has raised $17.4 million for the duration of his campaign, compared to $13.2 million for Deeds.

McDonnell last month received $400,000 directly from the Republican National Committee, the national campaign arm of the GOP, and $100,000 from the state Republican Party.

McDonnell’s campaign also reported $719,000 in in-kind contributions from the state GOP for direct-mail solicitations.

He also received $50,000 contributions from Bob Perry, a Texas homebuilder and a prominent Republican donor, and Sheila Johnson, a businesswoman and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, who is one of McDonnell’s most visible supporters.

McDonnell also reported a $50,000 contribution from the NFL’s Washington Redskins. Some former Redskins players have campaigned for McDonnell and his wife is a former cheerleader for the team.

Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio gave $5,000 to McDonnell’s campaign via his leadership PAC, The Freedom Project.

Deeds’ September contributions drew heavily from political party organizations and labor unions. Deeds received $500,000 directly from the Democratic National Committee, which is headed by Virginia’s outgoing Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine , and another $500,000, in two installments, from the Democratic Governors Association.

Deeds received $400,000 last month from the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union, better known by its acronym AFSCME, and $100,000 from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Deeds’ campaign reported $262,000 in in-kind contributions from the state Democratic Party, which paid for direct mail and yard signs.

McDonnell frequently links Deeds to national labor unions, which support a “card check” plan to ease union organizing. McDonnell says that proposal would that hamper job creation.

Notable individuals who gave to Deeds’ campaign in September included Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner , who is a former governor ($25,000); Lisa Collis, Warner’s wife ($10,000); Sarah McWilliams, a Virginia innkeeper ($100,000); Fred Eychaner, a Chicago media executive ($40,000); and Ted Leonsis, the owner of the NHL’s Washington Capitals ($12,500).