Kaine's PAC Still Gets Big Donations

From April to June 30, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine collected $352,000 in donations. (By Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)
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Suzanne W. Matthews, a financier and community activist from McLean, has donated $118,000. Christopher Mark Little, a retired business executive from McDowell, Va., has contributed $125,000. And John O. Wynne, retired president and chief executive of Landmark Communications in Norfolk, has contributed $125,000, according to the State Board of Elections and Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics.

"People from around Virginia, from all walks of life and across the political spectrum, support Gov. Kaine, and they support him because of his commitment to delivering results for Virginia's families," Kelly said.

Last year, most of Kaine's fundraising helped Democrats pick up four seats in the state House of Delegates and take back control of the state Senate. The PAC gave more than $100,000 each to several candidates, and it transferred $1.7 million to the Virginia Democratic Party, according to VPAP.

But this year, paying staff and keeping the PAC open appear to be the major aims of Kaine's fundraising. From April to June 30, the last full reporting period, Kaine collected $352,000. All but about $40,000 of that amount came from 13 individuals who gave $10,000 or more, including Kirk, who donated $100,000 in April.

Kaine's reliance on big donors is similar to the fundraising strategies of other Virginia governors, of both parties.

About half of the donations to Democrat Mark R. Warner's PAC when he was governor came from individuals or organizations that gave at least $20,000.

Warner's predecessor, James S. Gilmore III (R), received about a third of his PAC money from people and organizations that gave at least $20,000, according to VPAP. Warner and Gilmore are running against each other for a U.S. Senate seat this year.

Craig Holman, campaign finance lobbyist for the Washington-based Public Citizen organization, said Virginia's lack of contribution limits "should alienate voters" because they "create suspicions as to the real motivations of government decisions."

Kirk, who Forbes magazine says is worth $1.6 billion, said giving money to Kaine is no different from making a donation to a foundation or charity. Kirk used to be a big contributor to Virginia Republicans, including former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore. But he became a supporter of Kaine's during his 2005 campaign for governor against Kilgore.

"I have spent a lot of time with him, and he is extremely intelligent, studious, and when he is confronted with a new issue, he really dives in and does his homework," Kirk said. "Here is an opportunity to enable those who really have the right message, right heart and right intellect."