WEEK’S END Headline of the Week: from The Washington Post: “Unions Investing Heavily in Deeds: $1.4 Million Swells Democrat’s Coffers but Complicates Message.“  Bill Janis is running for re-election in the 56th House of Delegates District. A campaign brochure includes a photograph of Janis shaking hands with Gov. Tim Kaine. Janis is a Republican, Kaine a Democrat. The brochure also says the delegate is “working in a bipartisan manner.“ On two occasions, it refers to his work with Democrats and Republicans. As the political scientists say, Hmmmm.

Kaine’s last six months as governor, but in his first six months as DNC chairman—is really only a cynical partisan exercise to score political points in an election year, then I am afraid that we will miss an opportunity to help the nearly 13 percent of Virginia children who currently live below the federal poverty line, and that would be a shame.

James Towey is literally running for office. The Democratic candidate for the 56th House of Delegates district will kick off his campaign with a 56-mile, three-day run through the district. He plans to start the morning of May 29 on the front steps of his northwestern Henrico County home and finish May 31 in the town of Louisa.

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.

UR faculty member seeking to unseat O’Bannon in 73rd He calls the GOP sitting delegate out of touch with district Another Democrat is trying to unseat a Henrico County Republican delegate. Tom Shields, a faculty member of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, confirmed yesterday that he is challenging Del. John M. O’Bannon III in the 73rd House district, which includes parts of Henrico and Richmond.

James Towey, the former director of the Virginia State Crime Commission, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Del. William R. Janis in the 56th House of Delegates district, which includes parts of Henrico County and all of Louisa and Goochland counties. Janis, among the House’s more outspoken conservatives, was elected in November 2001 to represent the traditionally Republican district. He is seeking another term this fall, when all 100 House seats are up.