Just a little while ago, VPAP went live with its campaign finance reports for the four gubernatorial candidates. Here's a rundown.First, the bottom line on total money raised through June 1: Tim Kaine ($9,957,254), Jerry Kilgore ($8,648, 856), Russ Potts ($421,151), George Fitch ($174,362). In other words, Kaine's in the lead by $1.3 million over Kilgore, with Fitch and Potts far behind. As far as "cash on hand" for each candidate is concerned, it's Kaine again in the lead with $5,194,582, with Kilgore nearly $2 million behind at $3,230,511. Way back in the dust, it's Potts with $182,456 and Fitch with $110,139.
Now, on to the juicy details! For Jerry Kilgore, the first thing that jumps out is the overwhelming share (89%) of his donations coming from large donors, over $500. A man of the people or a servant of the super rich and major corporate interests? Take a guess.
The next interesting factoid that jumps out about Jerry Kilgore is the source of donations by industry. The largest single donor is an "Inkind Media Expense" of $352,603 from "Honest Leadership for Virginia", aka the Republican Governor's Association (RGA). This is the same group that recently ran an ad which wildly distorted Tim Kaine's record on taxes as Mayor of Richmond. Interestingly, the RGA's chairman, Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, pushed through the largest tax increase in his state's history. Pot. Kettle. Black.
The second largest donor to Jerry Kilgore is our old favorite, John Gregory, founder of Tennessee's King Pharmaceuticals and a big manufacturer of psuedophedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamines. Interestingly, Kilgore's "Meth Watch" program was specifically made voluntary, not mandatory. Why voluntary, from a guy who's supposedly so anti-drugs? Gee, you think it might have anything to do with the contributions from his buddies in Big Pharma? (oh, by the way, Gregory is also under investigation for possible Medicaid fraud).
And on and on it goes...time for a hot shower!
Finally, the regional breakdown of donations is interesting. Nearly $1.5 million (17%) of Kilgore's money comes from out of state (not counting DC/Maryland suburbs). Just $769,000 (9%) comes from Southwest Virginia, the area that knows Kilgore best. The biggest single regional source of Kilgore's donations with Virginia is the Central area of the state -- overwhelmingly Richmond City and suburbs -- with $2.2 million (25%). Next is Northern Virginia, with $1.3 million (15%), overwhelmingly from Fairfax County and Alexandria City.
For Kaine, there's one similarity to Kilgore, although it pains me to admit it: lots of money (89%, the same as with Kilgore) from donations above $500. I guess it takes money to make money, and to give it away as well. That's just the honest facts of the matter - politics in the USA, circa 2005.
Having said that, however, there are some significant differences in the patterns of money to Kaine and Kilgore. For starters, just $361,000 (4%) of Kaine's money came from the "Out of State" category, compared to 17% for Jerry Kilgore In contrast to Kilgore, the vast majority of Kaine's money came from Virginia - northern, central, Piedmont and Hampton Roads, mainly -- plus the DC/Maryland suburbs.
True, Kaine's largest single donation, $1.5 million, came in January 2005 from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). A few points on this. First, just to set the record straight for my Republican blogger buddies, this was back in the days when the DNC Chairman was still Terry McAuliffe, not Howard Dean. Second, national Republicans are pouring in plenty of money to the Kilgore campaign, so please spare us all the indignant huffing and puffing about this one. Third, isn't it better to receive money from the national party than from a bunch of out-of-state business interests?
After the DNC contribution, the next 16 largest donors to Tim Kaine are all from Virginia, as opposed to places like Tennessee and New York for Kilgore (not that there's anything wrong with Tennessee or New York!). Most of them are individuals, like Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and the top individual donor to Kaine. Johnson is followed by Mark Warner-appointee (to the State Board for Community Colleges) Mark Fried of Cruzet, Wolf Trap Foundation member Suzann Matthews of McLean, Cisco Systems co-founder Sandy Lerner of Upperville, and CarMax President/CEO, Austin Ligon. In other words, some of the most successful entrepreneurs and outstanding citizens of Virginia are giving lots of money to Tim Kaine. What does that tell you?
Finally, a brief note on the ever-entertaining Russ Potts, who received $300,000 (71%) of his $421,151 from just one donor, Kentfield Farm in Middleburg. According to VPAP, "Kentfield Farm is run by financier Lloyd Ross of Middleburg. Ross, a retired multi-millionaire...founder of the discount retail chain Tuesday Morning, which is headquartered in Dallas." Now what's that all about?