Democrats' Inaugural Ball Waltzes Past Fundraiser Law

When a reporter discovered the donation two months later, party leaders apologized and said they would remedy the situation by paying the penalty prescribed in the law: $500.

That's right: a $500 fine for failing to properly disclose a $200,000 donation.

Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the Virginia Democratic Party, called it "an oversight" by the party's compliance team.

Now, Virginia Democrats might test the other crucial component of the state's campaign finance law. In the late 1990s, the General Assembly agreed to the ban on raising money during the s ession. The law has been a source of controversy between Republicans and Democrats ever since.

Each February, during the heart of the session, Democratic legislators flock to the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.

Unlike elected officials, the state parties face no restrictions on fundraisers during the session. The governor and legislators cannot sell tickets to the events.

Still, Republicans complain annually that state Democratic officeholders send the wrong signal by attending any fundraiser during the session.

GOP legislators have tried to tighten the law to forbid any state officeholder to even attend a fundraiser during the session. Democrats have blocked the legislation.

Now, Virginia Democrats are taking their in-session fundraising to the next level. They are hosting a fundraiser Jan. 19, five days after the General Assembly convenes.

Kaine and Democratic Sens. James Webb and Mark R. Warner are hosting Virginia's Inaugural Ball. The event at the Westin Arlington Gateway, which sold out in hours, is billed as "a celebration of turning Virginia blue." Tickets to the fundraiser, which benefits the Virginia and Arlington County Democratic parties, start at $200, and sponsorships are available for $10,000.

An invitation to the event clearly says that it is issued by Kaine, Warner and Webb. Republicans say that shows that Kaine, a state official, is soliciting money for a fundraiser that will occur during the legislative session.

Democratic officials say the fundraiser conforms with state law.