Perusing the campaign finance reports got me to thinking about contributions to candidates running unopposed. In a world in which resources are unlimited, everybody would get campaign contributions. But we don’t live in that world. And, given the fact that there is an election in Virginia every year, it would seem that limited resources would flow to those needing it the most: candidates running in contested races.
A substantial number of the 140 members of the General Assembly are running unopposed and still they are raising money. Some of that money will, no doubt, be distributed to other candidates. Some candidates believe, though, that campaign contributions should not be used that way and only contribute to other candidates from personal funds.
Some of the money raised will simply be added to the war chest, to be used down the road when (or if) a challenger emerges.
Would you contribute to a candidate if they are running unopposed? If so, why? If not, why not?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I refuse to even VOTE for someone who is running unopposed.
Donating to an unopposed candidate means you’ll have a 100% chance of backing someone who’ll be in office.
Sounds like good odds to me.
Nope. Donating to an unopposed candidate is nothing but boot-licking. The only thing worse is the double-dealers who contribute to both of two opposing candidates. All these practices do is to encourage, at best, favoristism and, at worst, corruption.
The real fix for this nonsense would be to permit unlimited campaign contributions, but to require that they be made through a “black box” so that all donors remain anonymous.
I’ll never say never. I could conceivably pay money to play in a golf tournament said unopposed candidate was hosting or go to a barbeque where the proceeds went to his campaign fun. Or I could conceivably give money to a candidate who won’t be up for election for a while if there was the potential that he MIGHT be opposed when his election cycle rolls around again. And if I really, really approved of the guy I might put some money into his coffers to help scare off any but the most serious potential challengers down the road. But I have not yet a candidate yet that I would stroke out a check to if I knew beyond doubt that his would be the only name on the ballot.
I make token (i.e., $25) contributions to a few regularly unopposed candidates for various reasons, but primarily because I think they’re doing important work, and want them to know that they’ve got support if they need it. Say, if John Lewis (D-Ga) ever drew a strong challenger, I’d pony up the max.
But I’ll have to say that, in general, my candidate contributions are way down from what they used to be. First, I’m not all that impressed with where my money is going. Second, and especially with a view toward 2008, I’m not so worried about who might end up in office. Finally, you know what? My maximum individual contribution can do a hell of a lot more net good in the hands of the Grameen Bank or SOME. Bob Shrum can go feed at someone else’s trough.