Bell Grabs Money Edge In AG Race

HARRISONBURG — Rob Bell holds a 3-to-1 financial advantage over Mark Obenshain as the pair enjoys a 45-day breather from fundraising for their attorney general campaigns.

 

Through the end of 2012, Bell, R-Albemarle, held a cash-on-hand advantage of $752,113 to $246,635, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in politics.

 

Bell represents the Elkton area of Rockingham County in the House of Delegates. Obenshain is a Republican state senator from Harrisonburg.

 

While the General Assembly is in session, the candidates cannot raise money for their campaigns. The session ends Feb. 23.

 

The lawmakers seek the GOP nomination for attorney general this year. Ken Cuccinelli, the current occupant of that post, seeks the Republican nomination for governor.

 

The GOP’s nominees for all statewide offices will be selected during a party convention May 18.

 

According to financial reports, Bell’s coffers are deeper than Obenshain’s because of large donations from several individuals, including Richard Gilliam ($30,000) and Doug Caton ($10,000).

 

Gilliam is founder of the Abingdon-based coal extractor Cumberland Resources Corp. Caton is founder and chairman of Management Services Corp., a property management firm in Charlottesville.

 

Obenshain’s top individual donors include his Harrisonburg law partner, Jeff Lenhart, and Mount Jackson businessman Bill Holtzman, both of whom provided $10,000 recently.

 

Holtzman’s son, Todd, will seek Obenshain’s Senate seat if Obenshain becomes attorney general.

 

Contact Preston Knight at 574-6272 or pknight@dnronline.com