The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The King's Grant PTA fundraising letter had two signatures: Bob Purkey, who is running to retain his seat in the House of Delegates, and Jeff McWaters, who has expressed interest in a state Senate seat that may open in November.
Purkey, a Republican representing the 82nd House District since 1986, said there is no "ulterior plot" or "campaign message" to be gleaned from the September fundraising letter, which was sent home with King's Grant Elementary School students on a House of Delegates letterhead paid for by Purkey.
It announces that Purkey and McWaters, neither of whom have children or grandchildren at the school, have contributed $100 each to buy books and technology for the school and fund its Lynnhaven River Keepers program.
Purkey said he chose McWaters to co-sign because the former Amerigroup Corp. CEO "is a major contributor as well to many endeavors in this area." McWaters plans to run for Senate in the 8th District if Ken Stolle wins the November race for Virginia Beach sheriff. King's Grant is in Purkey's district.
Purkey's Democratic opponent in November, Peter Schmidt, said he sees "delicious irony" in the letter, which he contrasted with House votes by Purkey to "cut funding for schools."
The school division's legal counsel said the letter is not considered campaign advertising and violates no policies.
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Unbelievable
I cannot believe the school board would condone this. Sending campaign literature home with school children is way out of bounds.
Sadly, based on what we already know about McWaters' disdain for providing health care to pregnant women, this dirty trick should come as no surprise.
How dumb can we be?
Typical. Use your position as the Chairman of House Finance to dismantle a transportation system that once worked effeciently and effectively, and replace it with a system of potholes, abandoned bridges, cancelled funding for local roads, terminated interstate projects, closed rest stops, yet he gives $100. to the PTA. Frankly, any citizen who will put up with the incompetence of Purkey deserves to be treated in this fashion; sprinkle a few pennies around at election time and vote against their interests in Richmond. How dumb can we be?
Let's hope the River Keepers Program
accounts for a serious contribution. Sending a letter saying you gave $100.00 is, well, pathetic. It is still pathetic if the program is some real money. It is good of them to give it but telling it just ruins their image. The would have looked better to just not have given. On business letterhead, no political message, that's about like saying no one will be held up in traffic today.