The candidate, who lost to Democrat Terry McAuliffe by only 2.5 points, noted that he “went dark” on Northern Virginia television that week because he did not have the cash. He didn’t blame his own team, praising Snyder and others for sticking with him, but referred to those who closed the spigots.

“You all believed,” he told a few hundred party faithful, in between their salads and braised short ribs. “If everyone else had done that, from the third week of September to the third week of October, we would have won.”

Cuccinelli, 45, suggested he will not seek public office again – specifically ruling out a run against Sen. Mark Warner (D) next year.

“I don’t mind not having an elected role in about a month or so. I’ve been in office 11 years,” he said. “I look forward to a little bit of a break. … but I’ll be back with you. I’m not talking as a candidate, but just fighting for these principles because I believe in them.”