For seven years in Virginia's General Assembly, Republican Dick Black made headlines for giving his legislative colleagues pink, plastic fetus dolls and for sponsoring a long list of antiabortion bills.
Now, nine months after he was unseated by Del. David Poisson (D-32), Black appears to be positioning himself to run again for office.
From Jan. 1 to June 30, Black collected $15,000 in campaign contributions, filling his political war chest to a total of $103,997, according to his July 17 campaign finance report filed with the State Board of Elections.
"I don't have any specific plans at this point, but I wouldn't rule anything out," Black said. "I'm watching to see what happens and I'll just go from there."
Democrats expect Black could challenge Poisson to a rematch, run against Sen. Mark Herring (D-33) or seek a seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. The next state and local elections will be held in November 2007.
"We anticipate that he's going to try to run again," said Thom Beres, chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee. "He's still out there collecting money. Our feeling is that he's running for something."
According to his July 17 campaign finance report, 10 of Black's 15 campaign contributors were from the same Tysons Corner land-use company — H2 Land Co.
Each of H2's 10 contributions, worth a total $3,750, were given through different holding companies. Each has the same address, however, 8206 Leesburg Pike, Suite 302, in Vienna. Two more contributions, totaling $1,000, came from two additional holding companies in the same office building.
H2 Land Co. has at least four residential real-estate development projects underway in Loudoun County.
DURING THE same month that Black received the contributions, he paid $5,000 in consulting fees to his daughter, Michelle Staton, who is married to Loudoun County Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run), according to campaign finance records.
Laura Head, office manager at H2, said the company is supporting Black because the firm's president, Michael Hummel, is a longtime friend of Black's.
"I just think he's a friend of somebody over here," she said.