Democrats Collect McAuliffe's Check

Terry McAuliffe has written the Democratic Party of Virginia a check for $74,750 for the 39 tables he purchased at last week's Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, according to fundraising records.

The money, which came from McAuliffe's campaign account, amounts to one-tenth of the total money the state party claims it raised at the dinner.

Excluding transfers from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) political action committee and other national and local Democratic committees, McAuliffe's check appears to rank in the top 15 in terms of largest contribution the party has received at one time dating back to 1997, according to records available on the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics.

McAuliffe apparently did not get a break on the cost of the tables even though he helped the state party raise $100,000 last fall so it could buy the building that houses its Richmond headquarters.