Notch one up for Virginia in the cross-border competition between Bob McDonnell and Martin O'Malley. The Republican Governor's Association, led by McDonnell, raised twice as much money as their Democratic counterparts, the Washington Times reports.
McDonnell and company tallied $44.7 million in fundraising this past year, compared to the O'Malley led Democratic Governors Association, which only raised $20 million.
From the Times: “There’s always been a rivalry across the Potomac between Maryland and Virginia. Both states are proud that they do things differently than each other,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “And the governors, both of whom are rumored for high office, personify that rivalry.”
- Anne Arundel County is trying to sort out its own council member scandal. Hometown Annapolis reports Daryl Johnson, who represents District 1 on the council, is set to report to jail on January 23 for not filing five years worth of federal tax returns. Council members have petitioned to remove Johnson from office. But on Thursday, a new plan was pitched to let Johnson remain on the board but suspend his pay for the 5 months he'll spend in jail.
- Meanwhile, in D.C., the fate of Harry Thomas Jr., who resigned from his Ward 5 Council seat on Thursday, continues to unfold. He's due in court late Friday morning, where his plea deal will become public.
- The Post's Mike Debonis picked up on a vaguely Terminator-like sentiment in Thomas' resignation statement.
Thomas said: “It is through the efforts of individuals like my mother, a public school principal, and my father, who served as representative of Ward 5 with great distinction, that our community becomes great. It is this legacy of service that I hope to live up to again.”
Perhaps he'll be back?
- Watching Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, and Bob McDonnell getting into the ring on the Virginia primary oath battle got the ACLU itching for a fight, too.
InsideNova reports the ACLU fired off a letter to the Republican Party of Virginia demanding they toss out the pledge.
From InsideNova: “The ACLU respects the associational rights of political parties to establish their own rules for membership and participation, but this is a primary organized, operated and funded by the government,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis, “The government cannot require voters to pledge support for a particular candidate.”
The ACLU says it would file a federal lawsuit if the party doesn't change its mind.
