General Assembly 2011

Among the major issues: The state's continuing efforts to provide services with fewer dollars and Gov. McDonnell's plan to privatize liquor stores. Session ends Feb. 26.

The latest

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• Gilbert expresses regret for abortion remarks
• Senate rebuffs McDonnell, rejects teacher contract change

From today's paper

• Va. House passes abortion-related bills
• Newspaper ad bills OK'd by House, head to Senate
• Follow state and local political coverage from The Roanoke Times

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• Live video and audio streams broadcast from each chamber every day of this year's session

Who's your legislator?

• Find out who represents you (and how to contact your legislators).

More resources

• How to track a bill
• How bills become laws

RICHMOND -- State Sen. Robert Hurt put his congressional campaign on the back burner in January when he returned to Richmond for the General Assembly session.

But the Chatham Republican didn't completely shut down his electioneering. Facing a seven-way primary for the GOP nomination, and a possible general election contest against U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Albemarle County, Hurt figured he had to continue raising money during the 60-day legislative session.

"It's a necessary evil," Hurt said last week.

It wasn't a decision Hurt made lightly. Already concerned about perceptions, he sought an opinion from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to make sure he was complying with a Virginia law prohibiting members of the General Assembly from raising money for state campaigns during the legislative session.

Cuccinelli's Jan. 25 opinion underscored the fact that the prohibition applies only to fundraising for state elections, not federal campaigns. In addition, Cuccinelli wrote, "federal law preempts Virginia's fundraising prohibition when a General Assembly member solicits or accepts contributions solely for a federal office."

Hurt is not the first state legislator to raise money for a federal office during the General Assembly session. But even with precedent and an attorney general's opinion to back him up, Hurt said he remains sensitive to perceptions.

"I am cognizant of the appearance," Hurt said. "But, above all, it's legal and I'm not going to do anything that's unethical in any way."

Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, faced a similar decision when he decided last month to seek the congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon. But Griffith has opted to wait until after the General Assembly's scheduled Saturday adjournment to begin raising money.

"I have taken a strong position that if we're supposed to be blacked out [from fundraising], we're going to be blacked out," Griffith said.

Hurt and Griffith are dealing with their fundraising dilemmas in a year when ethics issues have a high profile in the General Assembly. One of Hurt's primary opponents has criticized him for accepting campaign funds during the session, arguing that he could be influenced by donors who have business before the legislature.

"I think it's wrong and it's unfortunate that people don't pick up on it," said Laurence Verga, an Albemarle County businessman.

Hurt said he is not seeking contributions from anyone with business before the General Assembly and is not holding fundraising events during the session. He also said he has not raised money at the same clip that he did in November and December, when his campaign took in nearly $300,000.

"If we receive contributions, we're accepting them," Hurt said. "I would say that our fundraising has diminished because I have one job right now, and that's representing the people of the 19th Senate District."

Hurt and Griffith have taken different approaches to their fundraising, but they also face different circumstances. Griffith, the House majority leader, did not form a congressional campaign committee until late last month, meaning his fundraising will be idled for just a couple of weeks.

"I believe I can make it up pretty quick," Griffith said.

And, unlike the 5th Congressional District competition Hurt has entered, the crowded six-way GOP contest in the 9th District will be decided in a convention rather than an open primary.

Griffith said he is making calls to Republican activists to line up support for the May 22 nominating convention, but is not calling for cash.

"I'm not making an ask [for money] and I'm specifically telling them I'm not making an ask," Griffith said.

House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, did not question whether the state's law prohibits legislators from raising money for federal races and he was not critical of Hurt. But, Armstrong said, "the question is whether we ought to tighten it up."

Armstrong said the issue behind the law is whether donors have "actual or perceived influence on members."

"If that's the principle, and I think it is, then I think we ought to correct it," Armstrong said.

Democrats have fought their own battles over fundraising practices in recent years.

Republicans have pushed legislation aimed at prohibiting their Democratic counterparts from attending the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, which normally occurs in February while the legislature is in session. The Democrats scheduled this year's dinner for March 20, a week after the session ends.