Jones' mayoral campaign fund raises $70,646

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones hasn't announced whether he'll seek re-election next year, but recent fundraising suggests he has a plan.

Jones, pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond and a former state delegate, raised $70,646 during the first half of 2011, according to a midyear campaign finance report filed with the State Board of Elections.

The mayor also spent $3,230, including $1,012 for events at Bistro 27 on West Broad Street, leaving a balance of $84,292, which included funds carried over from last year.

In 2008, Jones won a four-candidate race to be Richmond's second elected mayor under the city's new form of government. He spent $459,866 on that campaign, according to an early 2009 finance report.

In an interview, Jones shed no light on his plans but said he has been able to raise "a good amount" without devoting a lot of time or employing a fundraising strategy.

"You need money to operate," he said. "You really, as a political figure, have to have funds on hand."

Political strategist Paul Goldman said the mayor's activities are a strong indication that he'll seek re-election and that he may be hoping to scare off potential challengers. The fundraising also could be a sign, Goldman said, that Jones is thinking about seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2013.

"If he wasn't entertaining it, he would have said so by now," said Goldman, who ran for mayor in 2008 before dropping out to endorse Jones.

Jones, who previously brushed off questions about his gubernatorial ambitious, declined to respond.

"I don't have any (fundraising) goals," he said. "I'm just focused on being the mayor of Richmond."

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Jones reported 96 itemized contributions for 2011, with 46 coming from two major corporations headquartered in downtown, Altria Group Inc. and Dominion Resources Inc., and their employees, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.

Those gifts of cash and in-kind services totaled $32,110, or about 45 percent of the amount raised during the period.

"Because Dominion is headquartered in the city of Richmond, its employees take an active role in Richmond's political process," utility spokesman Ryan Frazier said in a statement. "Dominion encourages such employee participation."

Altria hosted a fundraiser for Jones at its headquarters in March and invited company executives to attend, spokesman Bill Phelps said. "We believe that political participation is part of our responsibility to our employees, consumers and shareholders," he said.

Jones said Dominion and Altria and their employees account for a large share of his contributions because he hasn't yet organized small-dollar fundraisers. "I'm sure that'll level out as the months go on," he said.

Altria and William H. Funk IV of Hermitage Financial Solutions each gave $5,000, which were the largest donations.

Other sizable contributions to Jones included $3,500 from the Williams Mullen law firm; $2,500 from Dominion, Genworth Financial, retired Dominion executive Eva Teig Hardy and the Hunton & Williams law firm; $2,000 from banking executive James E. Ukrop; and $1,500 from Navigators Baseball, which is the ownership group of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The Double-A baseball franchise has been working quietly with the city and region on a plan to build a replacement stadium for The Diamond.

Asked about the Flying Squirrels' gift, Jones quipped: "Well, I'm a fan."

Among other notable gifts, Fulton Hill Properties contributed $500. The development company has been part of a group pushing a plan to build a large, mixed-use development on the site of City Stadium, near Carytown.

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All nine members of Richmond City Council, with the exception of the 5th District's E. Martin Jewell and the 7th District's Cynthia I. Newbille, filed their midyear campaign-finance reports by the July 15 deadline, according to the city registrar's office. Jewell and Newbille face fines of $100. Jewell said he did not believe he needed to file. Newbille submitted her paperwork on Wednesday and said the late filing was an oversight.

Among the filers, 1st District Councilman Bruce W. Tyler had the heftiest campaign fund, with $39,399 raised this year and $41,352 on hand, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Tyler said he's pleased with his initial fundraising efforts and plans "at this point" to seek another term on council.

"I'm also going to use the money, depending on how things work out, to support candidates that I believe will move the city forward," said Tyler, who has been Jones' most vocal critic on council and has challenged President Kathy C. Graziano to lead the council.