Virginia Politics Blog

The Republican National Committee announced today that U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.) will head up the GOP effort to reach out to Jewish voters this year. Cantor, the chief deputy House minority whip, will be tasked with bolstering Arizona Sen. John McCain's appeal among Jewish voters, who have traditionally aligned with Democrats but who have been increasingly receptive to the Republican message on foreign affairs. "Senator John McCain has been a long-time advocate for a strong relationship between America and Israel," said Cantor. "Our next President will inherit a Middle East region that is at a crossroads. One path leads to security and peace, the other, chaos. I believe John McCain has the experience and character to be an aggressive advocate for a secure Israel and stable Middle East."

The Virginia Democratic Party is mocking former governor James S. Gilmore III's efforts to raise money for his U.S. Senate campaign, saying it shows even Republicans are turning away from him. Levar Stoney, executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party, sent out a statement this morning noting that Gilmore (R), who so far raised about $750,000 for his campaign, has received contributions from only 394 individuals. Former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee, reports receiving contributions from 8,700 individuals, Stoney said. Warner has has raised about $6.4million for his campaign. Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman, accused Stoney of spreading misinformation about Gilmore's fundraising. Gamonal said 1,819 people have donated to Gilmore's campaign, although she notes it doesn't have to itemize contributions of less than $200. But Democrats believe Gilmore's fundraising proves he is a weak candidate.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III said today that he has secured enough delegates to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate next month but his rival, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), disputed that. "The race is not over,'' Marshall said.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will travel to Pennsylvania this weekend to campaign for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill). The Democratic governor will appear at two "get-out-the-vote" events in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. Kaine has traveled to other states during the presidential campaign including South Carolina, Georgia and Kansas.This is his first trip to Pennsylvania for Obama. The all-important Pennsylvania primary is Tuesday.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) has raised $52,000 for his U.S. Senate bid in the first three months of this year, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that were due this week. His Republican rival, former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) raised $396,000. Probable Democratic nominee Mark R. Warner, also a former governor, raised $2.5-million.

Del Dwight Clinton Jones (D-Richmond) announced yesterday that he will run for mayor of Richmond. L. Douglas Wilder, Richmond's current mayor and the nation's first black governor, has hinted that he will run for re-election despite a string of bad publicity lately.

U.S. attorney John L. Brownlee, a possible Republican candidate for Attorney General in 2009, announced today he is resigning as the top prosecutor for Virginia's western district. Brownlee, whose resignation will take effect May 16, said in an interview today he is "seriously considering" launching a campaign for attorney general later this year. But he added, "None of those decisions have been made ....I have not made a formal decision at this time."

Gov. Kaine pitched in on the harmonica Monday night at the 16th annual benefit for Arena Stage to support arts education programs in schools. Photo by Scott Suchman, courtesy Arena Stage.

At the start of the year, Virginia and national Democrats had high hopes that the state's 13 electoral votes could be up for grabs in the Nov. 4 presidential election. But as the fight between Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) grinds on, it's starting to feel as though the Democratic prospects in Virginia might be slipping away. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive GOP nominee, should be an early favorite to win the state, and he probably grows a bit stronger every week there is not a Democratic nominee.

Democrat Tom Perriello, a candidate for Congress in the 5th District, outraised Rep. Virgil Goode for the third consecutive quarter but the incumbent still has a bit more money in the bank. According to the Federal Elections Commission, Goode raised $438,000 during the first three months of the year and has $593,000 in the bank. Earlier this month, Perriello reported he raised $600,000 from Jan 1 to March 31. He has $500,000 in the bank.

The big money is not all on the Democratic side in the 11th Congressional District race. Republican Keith Fimian announced that he has raised $838,000--with $742,000 cash on hand--in the campaign to succeed retiring Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R). The Oakton resident, a former football star at the College of William and Mary, owns U.S. Inspect, a home inspection company. Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, leads fundraising in the Democratic field with $500,000 amassed during the first quarter of 2008.

Politicians from around the state will flock to tiny Wakefield on Wednesday for the 60th annual Shad Planking, a longtime Virginia tradition where politicians come to see and be seen. Speakers include U.S. Senate candidates, Republicans James S. Gilmore III and Robert G. Marshall, and Democrat Mark R. Warner. It may the only time the three men share a stage before a Republican nominee is picked next month. Democrat Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, who is running for governor next year, and his potential rival, Del. Brian J. Moran, both sent their staffs to Wakefield today to help Warner's team set up.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) will report today he's raised $396,000 during the first three months of the year and has $208,000 in the bank, according to Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokesman. Gilmore, who is competing against Del. Robert G. Marshall and Robert D. "Bob" Berry for the GOP nomination, has raised about $747,000 since he launched his campaign in November.

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) told supporters today that he will not run for attorney general next year. "My family is the abiding consideration for me in deciding to forego a run at this time. I have two children in high school, and I am very proud of them," he wrote in an email. "I understand the sacrifices my family would have to make in order for me to seek statewide office at this time, and they are too great." Obenshain wrote in an email that he had been encouraged to run for several months.

The money keeps flowing into the 11th Congressional District's Democratic primary showdown. According to disclosure reports to be filed to the Federal Election Commission tomorrow, Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is leading the pack of four after raising $500,000 during the first quarter of 2008. As of March 31, Connolly had $424,000 on hand, his campaign reported.

Prince William County Supervisors can't seem to agree on much of anything lately. For more than a year they put off making a decision about what to do with 230 acres of parkland in the western end of Prince William County. After a late night meeting earlier this week, the board put it off again. This time supervisors asked County Executive Craig S.Gerhart to fix it.

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) announced today he raised $2.5 million for his U.S. Senate campaign during the first three months of the year. Warner, who will likely face either Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) or former governor James S. Gilmore III (R)_ in the general election, has about $4.4 million in the bank. "We are gratified that so many Virginians are enthusiastically supporting Governor Warner's effort to fix what's wrong with Washington today," said Warner spokesman Kevin Hall.

New polling by Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerald E. Connolly continues to show him with a significant lead over Leslie L. Byrne in the race for the 11th District Democratic Congressional nomination. The poll of likely Democratic primary voters, first reported yesterday by the Congressional newspaper The Hill, had Connolly ahead of Byrne by a 20-point margin, 45-25. That is just slightly below the 23-point spread Connolly claimed in a January poll. Both surveys were conducted by Lake Research Partners. It shows two other opponents, Doug Denneny and Lori Alexander, trailing far behind with one percent each.

The hottest contest at the Virginia Republican Party convention next month might not be the one between Del. Robert G. Marshall and former governor James S. Gilmore for the nomination for Senate. It could be the battle for state party chairman, which has taken a nasty turn and exposed a generational divide within the party.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said today he's not opposed to efforts by Democratic officials to persuade superdelegates from Virginia to support Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the national convention in August. At a news conference this morning, Kaine (D) said he is also "having conversations with superdelegates all the time." "Superdelegates are getting communications from a lot of people, so folks communicating with the undecided by saying 'hey come for Senator Obama', it's all part of persuasion," said Kaine, one of Obama's national co-chairmen. "We are in a persuasion game here by trying to get those uncommitted to commit." On Monday, the leaders of about 40 Democratic county and city committees in Virginia sent a letter to the state's superdelegates pressuring them to endorse Obama. The leaders, who have also launched an online petition, included the chairmen of the Arlington, Prince William and Fairfax county Democratic committees. They noted that