House races look even financially: In 93rd both have cash, in 64th both don’t

              If campaign finance reports are to be believed, Del. Phil Hamilton (R-93rd) and Del. Bill Barlow (D-64th) have serious challenges on their hands this year.

              Hamilton’s will be the more expensive challenge.  His Democratic opponent, Newport News consumer attorney Robin Abbott, raised almost $105,000 in the reporting period that ended June 1.

              Hamilton himself raised $49,129, bringing his campaign bank account up to near $115,000.

              Although she out-raised Hamilton during the period, Abbott also outspent him $33,000 to $9,000, leaving her with $71,000 in the bank.

              That’s still an impressive figure for a House challenger in her first month of the race.  It’s important for a challenger to show early fundraising ability to leverage help from the House Democratic Caucus later in the race.

              So far, the caucus has only given Abbott a $2,100 in-kind contribution, which entailed paying the salary of her campaign manager.  Most of Abbott’s money came from the law firm she works for, Consumer Litigation Associates.  Many of her other contributions also come from lawyers.

              The race in the 93rd may pit lawyers against doctors.

              Hamilton’s largest contributors during the period, $5,000 each, were Medical Facilities of America of Roanoke and the Medical Society of Virginia Political Action Committee.

              Hamilton, a 20-year veteran of the General Assembly, chairs the House Health, Welfare & Institutions Committee.

              Democrats made it clear that they were going after Hamilton after his district went for Barack Obama by more than 60%.  The 93rd is among their top five targets in a year when they need six seats to take control of the House in time for redistricting.

              Similarly, Republicans put Barlow in their crosshairs after John McCain easily carried the 64th for president.  They know it won’t be easy to unseat Barlow, who was first elected in 1991.

              “It’s the kind of seat we could take if we have a big win at the top of the ticket,” according to one Republican operative.

              The top of the ticket will be the governor’s race between Republican Bob McDonnell and a Democrat to be chosen in a primary next Tuesday.

              While the 93rd looks competitive because both candidates are well-financed, the 64th looks close because neither candidate is.

              Barlow has twice as much money on hand as his Republican opponent, Isle of Wight Supervisor Stan Clark, who had to win a primary to get this far.  Neither figure is anything to brag about.

              Barlow raised $11,000 and spent $16,000 during the last reporting period, leaving him with just under $27,000.  That’s not much for an incumbent delegate facing a contested election.

              “We’re working on it,” he said Tuesday, noting that he has scheduled fundraisers in June and July.  Based on his 2005 race, Barlow expects he and Clark will spend more than $100,000 each.

              Clark also raised just over $11,000, but spent $33,000 to win the nomination from Mike Holle.  That leaves Clark with a little over $10,000 on hand.

              No Democratic challenger has surfaced against Del. Brenda Pogge (R-96th), and it’s clear from her fundraising she doesn’t expect one.  She raised only $1,600 during the period from April to June and spent $4,500.  That leaves her with about $6,800 in her campaign account. The 96th is regarded as a lock for Republicans.