“This is a great time to be a Democrat,” said Michael Signer, an aide to Gov. Mark Warner. “This party is alive and kicking…The Republicans have given us an opening big enough to drive a Mack truck through.”

At the second annual Blue Dog Bash, a Sept. 29 Democratic fundraiser held at Washington and Lee University, local Democrats seemed to share Signer’s sentiments, showing no signs of despair.

Fundraising statistics, however, paint a different a picture of the political party.

According to the latest numbers from the Virginia Public Access Project, a non-profit organization that provides information on campaign finance, Republican Del. Ben Cline, the incumbent, has raised $89,175, nearly $23,000 more than David Cox, his Democratic challenger.

The candidate's district covers Rockbridge County and parts of Amherst and Augusta counties.

The breakdown of the candidate’s fundraising from each area and other surrounding areas vary widely.

Cline’s biggest donors are from Richmond and Charlottesville, with Lexington coming in third.

In contrast, “Cox’s money was mostly 'local stuff'," said Katherine Smith, the chair of the Rockbridge County Democratic Committee. Indeed, Cox has actually raised three times more money in Lexington than has Cline.

Democrats from Buena Vista have been doing their part to contribute to the fundraising. So far, the city’s Democrats have given $1,500 to Cox’s campaign. Whereas, the local Republicans have given $1,350 to Cline’s campaign.

Buena Vista’s Democratic Committee has also held two fundraising events this year, a breakfast on Labor Day and a picnic in early July.

“The breakfast was the best we’ve ever had,” Pat Knick, the secretary of the Buena Vista Democratic Committee said. “We wouldn’t have room for one more person.”

The fundraisers combined raised around $3,000, according to Knick.

The local Republican Committee was also involved in the Labor Day breakfast in Buena Vista.

“It’s a major function for both political parties,” said Mel Grossman, the chairman of the Republican Committee. Grossman would not state how much they were able to raise at the event.

Fundraising money for the local Republican Committee also comes from donations at local events like the county fair.

Between the two candidates, there is a big difference in who is contributing. The number one source of donations for Cox is retired individuals, while most of Cline’s larger donations come from corporate interest groups.

Knick explained that the Democrats who participate in their fundraisers represent various backgrounds.

“[They] run the gamut, from farmers to small business people to people that have money to students,” Knick said.

Grossman and Ben Cline’s campaign manager, John Heath, declined to comment on specifics of fundraising.

Now, with the number of days leading to the election dwindling, Cox and Cline are heading toward three major fundraising events: a sorghum festival, an apple festival and a garlic festival, all in Amherst.

Both candidates also have Web sites where last-minute contributions to their campaigns can be made.


 

Breakdown of funds raised by Cline

Breakdown of funds raised by Cox

Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.

Lead supervisor:      Prof. Claudette Artwick

Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming

Editing supervisor:  Prof. Pamela Luecke

Technical supervisor:  Michael Todd