Kaine stumps for Dem House candidates Nichols, Bell

It may have been a holiday, but Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was plenty busy Monday, traveling from one side of Prince William County to the other in support of two House of Delegates candidates.

At noon, Kaine, who’s also the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, came to Occoquan on behalf of Del. Paul F. Nichols.

Then, after about an hour, he took off for Gainesville, where he spoke favorably of John Bell, who’s running against Del. Robert G. “Bob” Marshall, and rallied Bell’s campaign workers before they went to talk to potential voters.

Both events focused on business: Nichols announced the formation of a group called “Business Leaders for Nichols,” and Bell and Kaine toured a small business called Kid Drop Zone.

Kaine said business support will be significant if House Democrats want to win Nov. 3.

“I think it’s important,” the governor said in Gainesville, “because it builds on a strength. I mean, again, it’s not been an accident that we’ve been named the best state for business over and over again under Democratic leadership.”

Nichols, a Lake Ridge Democrat, is facing a tough challenge from Republican Rich Anderson in the 51st District.

He, Kaine and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Kenneth R. Plum of Reston toured several shops in Occoquan.

Then the political crowd gathered at The Garden Kitchen, which has become sort of an unofficial Democratic campaign stop.

Kaine noted that he had stumped there before, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds has come there in recent weeks as has lieutenant governor hopeful Jody Wagner, who’s challenging the incumbent, Bill Bolling.

Kaine said Nichols has been a “good ally” in terms of making Virginia business-friendly.

“I want to make sure he comes back,” Kaine said.

Manley Garber, whom Nichols called “Mr. Woodbridge,” said he’s worked with the incumbent delegate for several years.

Garber has been a hog farmer and developer, and he serves on Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative’s board of directors.

“So I know what business is, and we need leadership like Paul Nichols to help us to keep these businesses and bring more businesses to Prince William County,” he said.

Nichols, who’s been a lawyer and businessman in Prince William for 31 years, said he believes in lowering taxes for businesses so that they can afford to hire workers.

“I am the businessman’s delegate,” he said.

Anderson campaign manager Reece Collins, however, later scoffed at Nichols’ pronouncement.

He said county Supervisor Marty Nohe recently had a “Business Leaders for Rich Anderson” event last week that drew about 50 attendees, many more than the 15 or so who came to support Nichols on Monday.

And he said Nichols’ position as a lawyer hardly makes him a real businessman.

“He’s not building anything,” Collins said. “He’s not constructing widgets. He’s not adding value to anything.”

The race in the 13th District, which includes parts of Prince William and Loudoun counties, has been quieter of late. But a win by Bell over Marshall, an 18-year incumbent, would be a boon for Democrats.

Kaine said that he’s been able to work well with both his party and the GOP in the state Senate.

“But the House of Delegates, bluntly, is really more known for the things they’re against rather than what they’re for,” the governor said.

So he and Plum told the crowd at Kid Drop Zone, an indoor playground for children, that Bell would make a good addition to the House.

Bell noted that Marshall voted against Virginia taking any federal stimulus money.

That was the wrong move, he said. Kid Drop Zone received a $250,000 small business loan that came from stimulus funds, and that money allowed them to hire workers.

“We’ve heard a lot about ‘Bob for Jobs,’” Bell said, referring to a slogan for GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell, “well, this is a Bob that’s not for jobs.”

Marshall, reached after the event, maintained his opposition to stimulus money.

The stimulus legislation essentially required borrowing money from foreign governments, he said, some of whom, such as “communist China,” are dangerous.

“This is like going to Al Capone for a home loan,” he said.

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.