NoVa Democrats Celebrate Inauguration

Fairfax Democrats will hold a pre-inaugural Denim to Diamonds ball Saturday night with all three of the party's candidates for governor, Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner were invited, and several state legislators are likely to attend.

More than 500 people are attending the Fairfax County Democratic Committee's Blue Jeans ball at the Richard J Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale. The party expects to raise more than $40,000.

Today, after a lively debate, the Republican-led House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to a bill that, if already in effect, would have banned state legislators and statewide officials from this event -- and all other fundraising events sponsored by a political party, lobbyist or campaign contributors during the legislative session.