Money rolls in for statewide candidates

A.T. Massey Coal Co. gave $40,000 on Monday to Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell and $10,000 to GOP attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli -- an example of the kind of money being plunked down in the closing days of the statewide contests.

While those were among the larger contributions that came in this week, donations of $5,000 or more are being received by candidates of both parties, and special-interest groups are continuing their push, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

McDonnell and his Democratic rival, R. Creigh Deeds, each have taken in more from political organizations than any other industry sector -- $5.6 million for Deeds and $6.9 for McDonnell -- a sign of how much both parties want to win in Virginia.

This gubernatorial election -- one of only two in the nation this year, along with New Jersey's -- could be considered a referendum on President Barack Obama.

Organized labor ranked second for Deeds with $2.3 million, and real estate and construction ranked second for McDonnell at $2.7 million. The figures include donations from Jan. 1, 2006, to Oct. 21, 2009.

VPAP, a nonpartisan watchdog of money in politics, yesterday also listed donors who gave to Republican Jerry W. Kilgore in the 2005 governor's race but are donating to Deeds in this year's contest.

And, VPAP compiled a list of donors who supported Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, in 2005 and who now back McDonnell.

The VPAP analysis shows that 88 donors who gave a total of $503,874 to Kaine have donated $493,714 to McDonnell, including prominent Richmonders Stuart C. Siegel and J. Sargeant Reynolds Jr.

Reynolds said he has supported both parties in the past and that sometimes it comes down to who asks for support.

"I actually like both candidates," he said. "They're both good candidates. I just think it's time for a change."

Fifty-one donors who gave $236,995 to Kilgore have given $149,687 to Deeds.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .