MICHIGAN ADVOCACY GROUP DONATES TO VA CANDIDATES
The Virginian-Pilot (Roanoke) - [11/1/2003]

"A Michigan political advocacy group promoting school vouchers and choice is expecting to spend $250,000 in October and November to elect a slate of Republican Virginia legislators.

The political action committee for All Children Matter has given $83,000 to Virginia candidates in October, the most for any single-issue political committee, according to campaign finance data provided by The Virginia Public Access Project. All Children Matter has donated $12,000 to South Hampton Roads Republicans. Sen. Nick Rerras, R-Norfolk, received $10,000, the top donation in the state this month and the legislator's largest check. Virginia Beach delegates Terrie L. Suit and John J. Welch III received $1,000 each, according to campaign finance reports.

The group donated to one Democrat, Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III of Richmond.

Campaign watchers call the out-of-state money unprecedented for a Virginia legislative campaign. Some believe it could be a harbinger of a coming debate over school choice in the General Assembly.

All Children Matter is a new foundation established by Michigan businessman and GOP activist Dick DeVos. He served as president and chairman of Amway Corp. and its related companies, now known as Alticor. Richard L. Sharp, a former chairman and CEO of Richmond-based Circuit City, is also involved in the campaign.

Greg Brock, executive director of All Children Matter, said the organization supports school reform and choice. The group advocates for vouchers and tax credits that encourage businesses to create scholarships to allow children to attend private schools.

"It's going to require a change in public policy," he said.

Rob Jones, a lobbyist for the Virginia Education Association, said voucher programs and tax credits draw money away from the public school system. Most private school students are from upper income families, he said. "This would be a new allotment that would benefit the wealthy," he said.

Brock said he expects the group's total campaign contributions in the state to reach $250,000 and that Virginia is the first state outside of Michigan where the group has decided to invest full-scale in politics.

Brock said Virginia has an off-year election and the Republican leadership is more amenable to tax credit programs. He said expects the group will also have lobbying support from several established Virginia grass roots organizations.

Larry Sabato, director of the Center For Politics at the University of Virginia, said a $250,000 influx would be unprecedented for out-of-state spending on Virginia races.

He said the late money would make a difference in the elections, but less on legislation. "Can this alone drive the issue? Not a chance," he said.

Quentin Kidd, a political science professor at Christopher Newport University, said single-issue, ideological political action committees are becoming more common.

"Essentially, what they do is buy future access," he said."

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