Va. House incumbents take early lead in money race

Del. John M. O'Bannon III, R-Henrico, reported amassing more than any other candidate for the House of Delegates in the first quarter, a total of $141,000.

But O'Bannon's biggest contributor was himself. He transferred about $90,000 that he previously raised through a political action committee that he controls. The other $50,000 came from donors.

As is usually the case with incumbents, he's trouncing his challenger early in the cash race.

O'Bannon's Democratic opponent, Tom Shields, brought in $18,000 from Jan. 1 to March 31, and he had about $23,000 on hand at the end of that period.

With the legislative session behind them and the November election on the horizon, House candidates are focusing on stocking their war chests. All 100 House seats are up for grabs this year, and Republicans hold a six-seat edge. The closest-watched re-election bids are in targeted races in which Democrats think they can make gains to narrow the GOP advantage.

The O'Bannon seat will "definitely be a significant focus from now until November," said Jared Leopold, communications director for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

O'Bannon has easily held the seat he won in a special election in 2000. But this year, he has a Democratic challenger who hopes to ride the momentum that turned Henrico County for Barack Obama. The 73rd House District includes parts of Henrico and Richmond.

Tony Coppola, with Shields' campaign, said challengers must lay a good deal of groundwork before the money starts coming in. He expects to have "good reporting" in May and June.

"This is a very tough environment to raise money in, we understand that," he said, referring to the recession. "We have more than enough money right now to do whatever we need to do to keep our campaign functioning," he said.

O'Bannon, a doctor who is married to Henrico Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, took in $10,000 from the Medical Society of Virginia, $2,500 each from G. Gilmer "Gil" Minor III and the Virginia Bankers Association.

"I think the funds he's raised so far shows the support he has between the business community and individuals," said Richie Parsons, campaign manager for O'Bannon. Last week his campaign held its first fundraiser for the November election.

Shields' largest cash donation, of $3,000, was from TNC Equipment LLC. Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, gave Shields $250 at the end of December, a gesture returned by O'Bannon, who gave Morrissey's Republican challenger, Michael Gage, the same.

The money race also is lopsided in the House's 56th District, which includes parts of Henrico and all of Louisa and Goochland counties.

Del. William R. Janis, R-Henrico, brought in more than $7,000 in the first quarter and ended with $46,000 on hand. Janis, like other members of the General Assembly, is prohibited from raising money during the legislative session.

His Democratic challenger, James Towey, the former director of the Virginia State Crime Commission, brought in $1,800, much from friends and family, and ended with $860 on hand.

Towey said he chose to stay on as director of the crime commission through the legislative session though it meant he could not raise money. He began his campaign around the first week of March.

"I knew I was giving up an opportunity there from a political perspective, but I feel I did the right thing," he said. "I think when July 15 comes around there's going to be a very big [fundraising] difference."

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