David vs. the Goliaths
Disparity is evident in 11th District State Senate campaign financing
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Habeck

The "mother's milk of politics" - raising campaign money - is separating the three candidates running for the State Senate's 11th District seat.

Republican Steve Martin, the incumbent, has served eight years in the senate and is already connected with big contributors. Democrat Alex McMurtrie, an attorney, is able to fund his own campaign. And businessman Roger Habeck, an Independent, who six months ago said he needed to raise $250,000 to beat Martin, has only raised $41,000 (including in-kind support) as of June 30.

Martin was first elected to the Virginia Senate in 1999 after serving as the delegate for the 27th District from 1988-94. His primary business is with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network as a financial planner and insurance agent.

According to required campaign finance reports, Martin has raised $169,495 during the first six months of 2007, much of it from political action committees (PACs). They include the Homebuilders Association of Virginia, the Virginia Optometric Association and the realtors' associations.

"I want to be free and clear of the lobbying money," said McMurtrie. "You have to get the moneychangers out of the temple."

"I have pledges to get me to at least $70,000," said Habeck. "We're going to have enough money to get me elected, but right now people are not energized about the election, but they will be as Election Day approaches."

McMurtrie's entrance into the race in June changed the landscape for both Martin and Habeck. The Democrat acknowledged that he was encouraged to enter the race with advice from citizens and business leaders and the polling he did last spring. While not being specific about the results, McMurtrie confirmed that 46 percent of the district is Republican and the balance is split between Democrats and Independents. Candidates usually start out with a party base of votes so a Republican should expect to get 46 percent. Candidates then target other voters based on personal contact or crossover issues.

"If I hadn't been in the race," surmised McMurtrie, "I think Roger expected to capture the Independents, most of the Democrats and some of the Republicans."

Political professionals believe the majority of the people in the district - which includes most of Chesterfield County and all of Colonial Heights - can't even name their senator today. McMurtrie's polling also measured positive and negative impressions of the three candidates. Reportedly, Martin and McMurtrie had greater name recognition but also higher negatives. Habeck's recognition was low but without high negatives. McMurtrie agreed with the results in general terms but declined to provide specifics.

McMurtrie served as a Chesterfield delegate from 1972-82. In 2003, he ran against State Senator John Watkins - a campaign Republicans still remember for negative ads run by McMurtrie. Several Republicans said they expect negative ads again, but McMurtrie says his campaign is just getting organized.

"I'm still putting together the pieces to see what needs to be done," he added. The lateness of his campaign has fueled speculation that he might drop out. Asked if he might reconsider the race after more polling, McMurtrie replied, "No, at this time I'm in the race to the end. People don't start paying attention until 2-3 weeks before Election Day."

Habeck is negotiating the middle ground between two bigger spenders. A campaign fundraising letter from Martin earlier this month warned against "McMutrie and the liberal Democrats succeeding," but made no mention of Habeck. He has been marshalling support from some Chesterfield business leaders who have previously supported Martin.

"I'm a soft R on the issues, and have told the Republicans I intend to caucus with them if elected," said Habeck.

Earlier this year, much of Habeck's available funding was paid to Abby Easter, Lynne Cooper and Cory Medina who consult Democrats. "They were true believers in the Democratic cause," he said, "so we parted ways."

He now has a "kitchen cabinet" of close friends that includes businessmen Bob Schrum and Randy Powers, restaurateur Chris Andreano, and human resources executive Debi Girvin. Andreano and Girvin took over the reins of the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce that Habeck started in 1999.

Now with 550 members, the chamber and the Chesterfield Business Council are co-sponsoring a debate for the senate race on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will be held at the Chester campus of John Tyler Community College.