Campaign of Rep. Forbes' challenger showing signs of trouble

CHESAPEAKE

The campaign of Andrea Miller, a Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, is running into financial problems.

Miller's campaign manager and finance director quit Saturday, saying there was no money to pay them.

"There was no foreseeable way to be paid," said the former campaign manager, Dan Coleman, who added that campaign contributions weren't as much as officials had hoped.

Forbes reported having nearly $400,000 of campaign cash on hand, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission this week.

The commission has not received Miller's campaign finance report, which was due Tuesday, spokeswoman Michelle Ryan said.

The recent events could spell trouble for Miller, who was touted as Forbes' first serious Democratic challenger in several election cycles.

If she wins, Miller would be the first African American woman to be elected to federal office in Virginia, according to one of her news releases.

Miller, who lives in Chesterfield and teaches Web and computer courses for emergency management agencies, did not return several phone calls Wednesday.

Coleman and former campaign finance director Mary-Alice Wildasin declined to comment further on Miller's campaign.

Democrats have high hopes for Miller. She was endorsed by party leaders in the 4th District, which includes parts of Chesapeake and Suffolk but also extends to the city of Petersburg and Chesterfield County.

"I think she's awesome," said Chesapeake Democratic Committee Chairwoman Ella Ward, a city councilwoman. Ward noted that Miller took part in July 4 festivities in Chesapeake.

Ward had not heard about the campaign resignations.

In 2004, Forbes won an easy victory over 26-year-old newcomer Jonathan R. Menefee. A lifelong Chesapeake resident, Forbes was a state delegate and senator before winning his congressional seat in a 2001 special election.

His campaign has had no trouble raising money. Among his larger contributions in June were $2,000 from the Senator John Warner Committee. He also received contributions of $1,000 each from political action

committees connected to the American Medical Association and Boeing, federal records show.

Forbes campaign officials declined to comment on Miller's campaign.

Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com