McQuinn: Election not a done deal

Lobbyists and lawmakers are rolling out the green carpet for the all-but-certain successor to Richmond Mayor Dwight Clinton Jones in the House of Delegates.

After easily locking up the Democratic nomination in the district that covers part of Richmond and parts of Henrico and Chesterfield counties, Delores L. McQuinn is sailing into a special election tomorrow as the lone candidate on the ballot.

Another special election is scheduled for tomorrow in Virginia Beach. Former Del. Terrie L. Suit, a Republican, quit the General Assembly to become a lobbyist.

Hampton Roads hog farmer Barry D. Knight, a Republican, is battling a 24-year-old consulting firm owner and restaurant server, John M. LaCombe, a Democrat.

Ahead of the Richmond-area vote, McQuinn is not resting, making phone calls and sending mailers. McQuinn said some district voters are incorrectly assuming the race is a done deal and that they don't need to vote.

"Folks can sneak up on you especially in an election like this," said McQuinn, a newly reelected Richmond city councilwoman. "I've just decided we're just going to run it just like any other election."

Eric Payne, chairman of the Richmond City Democratic Committee, said he has not heard of a formal write-in campaign. Registered voters in the district can cast ballots tomorrow at their regular polling place.

According to a campaign-finance report from Dec. 1 to Dec. 26 posted by the Virginia Public Access Project, McQuinn took in $36,118 in cash, loans and in-kind gifts and spent $27,746 .

As of Dec. 26, she had more than $8,000 on-hand and a list of donors that includes muscular law firms and lobbying shops Williams Mullen, Hirschler Fleischer, Hunton & Williams and LeClair Ryan.

The Virginia State Legislative Black Caucus gave McQuinn the most, $5,000, followed by the Virginia Dental Association, with $3,000, according to the report. Both of those donors gave after she secured a party nomination that is tantamount to winning the seat in the heavily Democratic district.

The Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association and David White of Historic Housing LLC also gave more than $1,000.

On Wednesday, Jones was sworn in as mayor.
Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .