The Greater Washington Board of Trade has indicated that it will withhold campaign contributions next year from all Virginia lawmakers unless the General Assembly passes a “dedicated, broad-based source of new transportation funds” for Northern Virginia and the rest of the state.
So, who does this hurt? Well, in the ‘07 races, they only donated a total of $28,000, which is truly just a drop in the bucket. But out of that, they split 60%-40% in favor of Dems. The top candidate they gave to? Chris Brown, who ran against Del. Jeff Frederick and was utterly crushed. Good investment with that $4K, guys.
Over the past 12 years, they’ve contributed a grand total of about $180K with a 46%-40% split in favor of Dems. (Another 12% is listed as “Other.”) Definitely an interesting list to review.
Filed under: 2009 Elections, Business, Transportation, Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Politics
[...] Riley at VV noticed that the Board’s biggest investment of 2007 didn’t get them much of a [...]
We can solve that issue, adopt federal guidelines for fund raising in VA, with out all the BS soft money….
limit ind. donations to $2,300. No Corporate money… limit $2,300 to local committees, and the state party….
make tv time equal to all candidates…. each candidate on the ballot gets set time, and slots… like sunday nights between 2 to 5 am….
Limit Pac money to $3,000… that will save each of those industries plenty of money….
Oh, and the General Assembly will meet on an biannual basis like it used too… That is why we hire a Governor, and lord knows how many state workers…. let them do their jobs, and the Delegates and Senators can come back home to work with the rest of us…
I completely disagree with your proposal for VA to adopt the federal levels. As someone who has practiced election and campaign finance law, you are far better off with a system where there are no contribution limits and where corporate/union money is allowed — so long as there is complete disclosure and severe penalties for noncompliance. If anything the Feds should adopt the Virginia model. All the Fed system has done is create 527s and other loopholes that attorneys such as myself have dreamed up.
With complete disclosure, opponents can always point to a candidate’s contributions and question their sources as part of the political campaign. That is the best type of system.
If the 527’s are limited to $3,000 per candidate.. wouldn’t that limit their impact?
I’d like a system that forced the candidates to look to individuals for their contributions…
I’m very open to discussing any kind of reforms…
Can’t limit the 527s unless you repeal the First Amendment.
I had a weeklong debate with one of McCain’s top staffers while traveling together in Mexico on an election observation mission back in the ’90s.