VIRGINIA BRIEFING

ARLINGTON COUNTY

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Kaine Fundraiser to Aid Democratic Candidates

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Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) was planning to raise $1 million last night at a Pentagon City fundraiser to help elect Democrats this fall.

Kaine, whose event at the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington County was sponsored by his political action committee, said yesterday that he has high hopes for Democrats as they seek to regain the state Senate and make inroads in the House of Delegates in the Nov. 6 election.

In an interview on WTOP radio, Kaine declined to predict how many Senate and House seats he expects Democrats to pick up. But Kaine said the election will prove Virginia is no longer "a super red state."

"It's a competitive state, and I believe the results of this year's elections are going to prove that," the governor said. "You don't want to live in a place where one party is given too much control."

Despite his confidence, Kaine said, he will spend the next month "fighting like an underdog" to help Democratic candidates.

-- Tim Craig

NORFOLK

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5 Teens Charged After Video Shows Attack

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Norfolk police charged five youths yesterday with misdemeanor mob assault after authorities say the teenagers were seen on a videotape attacking another teen over the weekend.

The case gained attention after the parents of the victim, 13-year-old Damin O'Rourke, obtained the video and released it to the media.

The video shows several people rushing at the teen, who is later hit repeatedly, knocked off his feet and kicked in the face. He suffered scrapes and bruises.

Police aren't identifying the boys, ages 13 through 16, who are being charged as juveniles, Norfolk police spokesman Chris Amos said.

The offense carries a penalty of a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Both the victim and his mother have said the attack was racially motivated because the victim is white and the perpetrators are black, but police disagree.

-- Associated Press