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The Neighbors Come for Dinner and Make It Pay
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. greets supporters at the North Bethesda fundraiser featuring Laura Bush. Ehrlich aides said the event raised more than $250,000 toward what is expected to be his $20 million campaign for reelection.
(By Chris Gardner -- Associated Press)
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But the invited included at least a few execs from the real estate, development and coal industries, to judge from campaign contribution reports filed after the invitation went out.
"We're going primarily because we know Jerry," said John K. Matney of Bristol, a businessman identified in contribution reports as part of the coal industry. "My wife went to college with Jerry."
Before the votes are counted, some of the most closely watched numbers in the governors' races of Virginia and Maryland will be the fundraising figures.
Each of Virginia's front-running candidates, Kilgore and Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), had raised about $10 million through June 30, according to records kept by the Virginia Public Access Project.
The biggest campaign fundraiser for Kaine was one attended by Gov. Mark R. Warner that raised just over $1 million.
Warner "has been a really great advocate for us," said Delacey Skinner, Kaine's press secretary.
Both of the Republican campaigns for governor are hoping that last night's appearances will yield intangible benefits, too. Ehrlich has had sluggish poll numbers with female voters, and his aides said they view Laura Bush as a potential antidote to that. They expect several appearances by the first lady before the 2006 election.
Larry Helminiak, 65, a retired insulation contractor from Carroll County, said he had to attend once he learned of the opportunity to have his wife photographed with the first lady.
"She's my wife's favorite person on Earth," Helminiak said. "How many people get to take a picture with their favorite person on Earth?"
Tickets to the event started at $1,000 per person, but for $4,000, a couple could get a picture snapped with the first lady at a VIP reception beforehand.
Aides to Ehrlich said the event raised more than $250,000.
Laura Bush appeared in a small hotel ballroom where the crowd of about 250, which drew heavily from Montgomery County, nibbled crab cakes.
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