McAuliffe says he won’t take Dominion’s money

Terry McAuliffe, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, says he won't take money from the state's biggest utility.

But that doesn't mean McAuliffe isn't accepting contributions from Dominion Virginia's employees or retired executives.

Last night, McAuliffe met with prospective supporters at the Richmond home of the company's retired president and chief executive officer, Thomas E. Capps.

Capps, according to the McAuliffe campaign, has contributed $2,500 to his candidacy.

Lis Smith, McAuliffe's spokeswoman, said this afternoon that the campaign had arranged a "meet-and-greet" at Capps' house in Windsor Farms, one of the city's high-end neighborhoods.

There was no charge for the event, Smith said.

McAuliffe is rejecting possible contributions from Dominion's political-action committee because the utility is resisting mandatory goals on so-called renewable energy.

A centerpiece of the McAuliffe campaign is his support of alternative, non-polluting fuels.

McAuliffe's kitchen cabinet includes Dominion's retired chief lobbyist, Eva Teig Hardy. Hardy, who knows McAuliffe through Bill and Hillary Clinton, has donated about $5,000 to the candidate.

Smith said last night's closed affair was similar to those "we have (held) all across Virginia."

Smith said McAuliffe has made it clear he's not interested in Dominion's financial support.

"But individual employees and retired employees are free to do as they please," said Smith. -- Jeff E. Schapiro