Political groups, others pump millions into governor’s race

Organized labor has donated $1.4 million to Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds, while the real estate and construction industry has funneled nearly $2 million to his Republican opponent, Bob McDonnell.

That’s in addition to the millions of dollars pumped in by political groups jockeying for a win in one of only two gubernatorial elections in the country this year.

The sums account for campaign contributions between January 2006 and Aug. 31, according to the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project, which analyzed the campaign finance data.

Deeds also took in $1.2 million from lawyers, and McDonnell received $1.4 million from the financial/insurance industry.

But political groups—including state and national organizations—topped the list for both candidates—Deeds with $2.1 million since January 2006 and McDonnell with $4.47 million.

“I think both parties believe the stakes for this election extend far beyond Virginia,“ said political analyst Robert D. Holsworth. “So they are ensuring that neither candidate goes underfunded and under-resourced here.“

The gubernatorial contest, on the heels of the 2008 presidential election, could be considered a referendum on the Obama administration. And looking to 2012, the party that owns the governorship will have a leg up in mobilizing troops in a key swing state.

Candidate coffers from both parties benefit from Virginia’s off-year elections because there isn’t as much competition for the dollars, said Larry Sabato, a political-science professor at the University of Virginia.

“It’s why our campaigns are so lavishly financed every four years,“ Sabato said. “We’re on track to match or exceed the $50 million the two candidates for governor spent four years ago.“

From January 2006 to Aug. 31, McDonnell raised $2 million from lobbyists to Deeds’ $695,868. McDonnell received $436,444 in small donations—of $100 or less—compared with Deeds’ $338,914.

McDonnell served as attorney general during part of that time, Holsworth pointed out, and he was uncontested for the GOP nomination for governor while Deeds fought in a three-way nomination battle.

Locally, a Henrico County House of Delegates race ranked ninth in all of the state’s House races in cash raised from Jan. 1, 2008, through Aug. 31.

Democrat Tom Shields, who is trying to unseat Del. John M. O’Bannon III, R-Henrico, brought in $43,382 in July and August—the most recent reporting period—giving him $48,783 on hand heading into September.

O’Bannon brought in $84,460 in the same period, for a total of $202,819 in cash on hand.

While Shields has a formidable contest in front of him, Holsworth said he appears to be doing the right things as a candidate. And every year seems to turn up a surprise candidate.

“He’s hoping he can be that surprise.“

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or

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