McDonnell Helps Push Herrity to Finish Line

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) gave $25,000 last week to Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield), the GOP nominee in tomorrow's contest for Board Chairman.

Herrity has not yet reported the donation to the State Board of Elections, but McDonnell advisors say it was delivered last week. The contest between Herrity and Supervisor Sharon S. Bulova (D-Braddock), the Democratic nominee, has become a crucial grudge match between Virginia Republicans and Democrats.

A Herrity win would be an embarrassing setback for Virginia Democrats as they prepare for this year's races for governor and the House of Delegates.

McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, has little to lose by taking an active role in Herrity's race. Considering the Democratic tilt of Fairfax County, the pressure is on Virginia Democrats to pull out a victory for Bulova. But if Herrity pulls out a surprise win, McDonnell can take part of the credit.

McDonnell is also using the chairman's race to help prime his own field efforts in Fairfax County for the governor's race. Unlike the eventual Democratic nominee in the governor's race, McDonnell does not have to carry Fairfax County to win statewide. But he will need to try get at least 42 percent of the vote in Fairfax.

McDonnell, who will be joined by his father, and Herrity are campaigning together today at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield.