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September 2002
Virginia 5th District Congressional Race: Shaking the Money Tree
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As of June 30, 2002, Meredith Richards raised $55,570 and had a cash balance of $43,136. 58% of these contributions were less than or equal to $500. 42% were more than $500.

Meredith Richards received 57 donations over $100. This figure included twelve $1000 donors; ten $500 donors; as well as a $10,000 contribution from Meredith herself.

By contrast, Virgil Goode had raised $226,668 and had a cash balance of $432,022. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, 36% of these contributions were less than or equal to $500. 64% of these contributions were more than $500.

"One of Goode's key advantages is his close ties with political action committees, including Associated Builders and Contractors, Direct Voice (a PAC supporting telephone solicitors), Dyncorp (information technology), Golden Rule Financial Corporation (insurance), the National Federation of Independent Business, the NRA Political Victory Fund and the Realtors Political Action Committee.

Goode received $1,000 from the Miami law firm Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, which the Federal Election Commission hit with a $77,000 fine in 1998 for soliciting $91,000 in illegal campaign contributions.

His largest supporter is the National Beer Wholesalers Association; the group gave him $5,000 [in this reporting period]. In the late '90's, the NBWA led the liquor industry in persuading the White House not to include alcohol-prevention messages in anti-drug campaigns run by the Office of National Drug Control Policy" (John Borgmeyer, C-Ville Weekly, September 3-9, 2002).

Virgil Goode received 267 donations over $100. His top 25 donations ranged from $10,000 from the National Auto Dealers Association PAC to $1,000 from the Abbott Laboratories PAC, and included contributions by the NRA Political Victory Fund, Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and Dominion PAC.

Recently, "[Meredith] Richards vowed, if elected, to push a tobacco quota buyout bill through Congress, criticizing her opponent for not getting traction with his own bill.

"Any member of Congress can introduce a buyout bill," she said. "It's time we had a representative who can get one passed."

[Virgil] Goode reacted sharply, calling on Richards to first do something about cigarette taxes in Charlottesville. "If she's a true friend of the tobacco farmer, let her propose an elimination or reduction of the Charlottesville cigarette tax," Goode said. "She's masquerading in Southside as friend of the tobacco farmer, something she is not." (George Whitehurst, Danville Register & Bee, August 30, 2002)

For more by Virgil Goode on tobacco, see Virgil Goode Speaks Out on the Virginia Economy.

For more by Virgil Goode on gun control, see Defenders of the Second Amendment and Virgil Goode Supports Guns in D.C. and Virgil Goode's 1996 NRA-PVF Rating.

Comments? Questions? Write me at george@loper.org.