In the absence of good polling data, campaign contributions are one of the best gauges of voter sentiment. And the signs are favorable for Independent candidate Katherine Waddell, who is challenging incumbent Republican Brad Marrs for the 68th House of Delegates seat in Richmond. Marrs, as you will recall, distinguished himself this summer for the anti-gay rhetoric of one of his fund-raising letters. The Waddell campaign has repudiated social issues in favor of education, public safety, transportation and economic growth.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Waddell was matching Marrs almost dollar per dollar through Sept. 30: raising $192,000 compared to Marrs’ $194,000.
But it looks like Waddell must have surged ahead in October fund raising. According to Virginia FREE, which reports October numbers, Waddell ranked No. 20 — with $272,000 — on a list of the Top 20 fund raisers among all House candidates statewide. Marrs did not make that list.
Waddell’s platform is common-sense and middle-of-the-road for the most part. But one plank really bothers me. On transportation, she says: “Virginia cannot afford to wait any longer to fund a comprehensive long-term transportation plan that includes mass transportation as a major component.” Although she does not say so explicitly, I take that as an endorsement of the Business as Usual, tax-and-build approach to transportation that has gotten Virginia in the fix that it’s in. 68th District voters beware: There’s a good bet that Waddell, if elected, will vote to raise your taxes in 2006.
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