Senate Dems dump $200K into Bell’s coffers
Brandon Bell
Ralph Smith
Nov. 1, 2011, 9:55 a.m.: This post has been updated to reflect errors included in John Edwards’ campaign reports. The Senate Democratic Caucus donated $115,000 to him this reporting period, in addition to $65,000 previously, making for a total of $180,000, not $105,000 as his report indicates.
The last regular campaign finance reports before next week’s elections were filed today (large donations must be reported within 24 hours), and we’re just starting to sort through the numbers.
But Mike Sluss is reporting a figure that jumped out right away: $202,500: That’s how much the Senate Democratic Caucus has given independent candidate Brandon Bell, who is challenging Sen. Ralph Smith in a rematch from the 2007 Republican primary.
Bell raised $208,700 in cash between Oct. 1 and Oct. 26, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, so the infusion from the Democratic Caucus clearly provided the lion’s share.
Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax County, said about Bell:
“Brandon’s not going to be in our caucus or anything but he has a philosophy that I think reaches reaches a greater number of people than his opponent does,” Saslaw said. “Smith is a pleasant gentleman, but he’s as far to the right as you can get.”
And consider this: The figure contributed to Bell is nearly double even more than the amount given to 16-year incumbent Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, who is in a hot race to defend his seat against 10-year Del. Dave Nutter, R-Christiansburg. According to Edwards’ report, the Senate Democratic Caucus has given him $105,000 $180,000 for the cycle so far.
So what does it all mean? Did Senate Democrats see something in private polling that made them donate more than $200,000 to an independent when they’ve given barely half of that to one of their own?
Sluss will have more in a story running tomorrow. In the meantime, you can check the Virginia Public Access Project or the State Board of Elections for more details on the Oct. 31 reports.
– Mason Adams
October 31, 2011 - 5:46 PM
They are giving Bell money because they know he can win. Ralph Smith is in big trouble.
Wow! I just can’t believe this. On Bell’s website he claims: “I am running to be your next State Senator because I believe we need true, independent leadership in Richmond. For too long our politicians have been beholden to party bosses and special interests. If you elect me as your next State Senator, I will always vote for what is in the best interest of our District and the Commonwealth of Virginia.” And this is the guy who is calling Ralph Smith a lair on TV. Sounds like its actually Brandon Bell who is the liar. Bell is just using the independent label to hide his true colors- a far left obstruction to progress liberal. From accepting this donation to wearing Ward Armstrong lapel stickers at public events to endorsements from tax hikers like Russ Potts, John Chichester, and Mark Warner we are beginning to find out who Brandon Bell really is. I hope he will learn he is out of touch when voters reject his far left agenda that he is hiding behind an Independent label on Election Day.
I encourage all 19th District Citizens to support Ralph Smith. Even if you disagree with Ralph on the issues, you will never have a problem knowing where he stands unlike his opponent.
In an earlier post, I mentioned how Bell had, in the past, prostituted himself to special interests to the detriment of the voting public. I just didn’t realize how expensive he is! If he keeps turning $200,000+ tricks for the Dems, he may actually have some wealth of his own to manage.
If you disagree with Ralph Smith “on the issues” you will never be happy where he stands because it will always be with the corporate interests and protect the wealthy GOP/TPR party line.
Thomas Paine, “obstruction to progress liberal” is a contradiction in terms. Since 2007 it has been the GOP and since 2009 the TPR’s who have used obstruction to progress as a badge of courage so you cannot run from it now.
The rigidity of Smith is NOT what any district needs. Vote smart, vote progress, vote Bell!
@Thomas: Far left agenda? Funny. This seems to be one of the GOP’s favorite catch phrases. I’m also amused by how much attention Republican men seem to pay to other men’s accessories. From labeling Obama as unAmerican for not wearing a flag lapel pin to labeling Bell as a liar for wearing an Armstrong sticker on his lapel at some public event…what exactly, is the great fascination? Maybe it means that they are independent thinkers who simply didn’t get the messages about the GOP dress code.
And as for where Ralph Smith “stands,” I don’t even think that he knows. We do, however, know where he doesn’t stand, sleep, or live – Roanoke County.
Susan…an absolutely perfect description of Ralph Smith on where he doesn’t, stand, sleep, or live- it is not in the 19th district…this is the district, that Ralph Smith wants to represent…how could anyone ever trust this man to be your representative…folks this is election fraud, plain and simple. If a man has to lie as to where he lives, in order to run for a political office, then tell me why Mr. Smith wouldn’t lie about ANYTHING” else….This lack of integrity and character is appalling, and Smith should tuck his tail and run as fast as he can to a slow boat to China, and make that his new home. We sure don’t need this type of individual around here….
So Bell took funds from the Democratic Caucus. I hardly see it as a buying of vote, as much as a way to show support against Smith.
Something tells me that if Smith could get away with it, he would take as much as you could, no matter where it came from. He is one to talk about buying votes. His GOP besties take money from every major Big Food and Big Pharma lobbyist group. It’s okay when it is on your side. SO he is fraud and a hypocrite. Good to know.
Knock-knock. Knock-knock. Knock-knock. This joke doesn’t work at Ralph Smith’s house. (borrowed from Ralph Smith Don’t Live Here Facebook page)
We’ll try ding-dong. Ding-dong! The bell tolls for thee, non-resident of the 19th!
Bell is SOLD….to the highest bidder, the Democrat Party of VA.
This is why I don’t give money to the Democratic Party in Virginia. What is the point in giving so much money to a State Senate Candidate (who is independent) when you have plenty of Democrats who could use the cash infusion to get their message out (for example Dan Langrehr) or perhaps have a candidate running in the 7th rep against a lone republican.
@SDBlacksburg You have to look at the source. The Senate Caucus donated the money to Bell. Their mission is to keep the State Senate in Democratic hands, and thus they have no reason to donate to Langrehr. There’s a big difference between the House caucuses, Senate caucuses, and party committees for Republicans and Democrats.
@Bluemax It’s the Democratic Party of VA. Democrat is a noun, Democratic is an adjective. This is different from Republican, which is both a noun and adjective. It really isn’t that hard.