The Republican candidates for the Board of Supervisors Dulles District seat are already sparring, one month before the party's scheduled convention in June.
Challenger Ayampillay "Jey" Jeyanathan sent a letter to the Commonwealth's Attorney James Plowman last week, accusing incumbent Supervisor Stephen Snow of holding a fund-raiser, which included a raffle, at Moore Cadillac Hummer in Chantilly. Jeyanathan asked Plowman to investigate Snow's campaign because a raffle cannot be used to raise campaign funds under state law.
"This violation is especially egregious in that the raffle was openly advertised to encourage participation and to solicit funds at the event," Jeyanathan wrote. "The Snow campaign should know better as they have long-time political advisors and professional staff handling the campaign."
In his letter, Jeyanathan said he was also filing a formal complaint with the County Electoral Board to request that all of the money collected at the fund-raiser be forfeited or returned and that Snow be "sanctioned for violation of the rules."
"The violation was not accidental and was carefully designed to attract funds from the public and gain an unfair advantage," Jeyanathan wrote.
The challenger also pointed out that Moore Cadillac Hummer gave a $10,000 in-kind contribution to Snow's campaign March 2. This week, Snow proposed changes to the county's sign ordinance, citing the sign needs of the car dealership.
While calls to Snow requesting comment were not returned as of press time, Snow's campaign released a response to Jeyanathan's allegations, calling them "unfounded and scurrilous."
"While the hosts of a fund-raiser on Mr. Snow's behalf did ineptly refer to a 'raffle' at the event, the activity was in fact a drawing and therefore was conducted in full compliance with all applicable campaign laws," the statement said. "Our campaign has been assured by the responsible authorities that no grounds exist for action on their part."
Snow's campaign said Jeyanathan's accusations were part of a plan to discredit the incumbent Republican.
"This is characteristic of the manner in which Mr. Snow’s opponent has conducted his entire campaign," the statement said, "and the voters of the Dulles District will see through his attempts to smear a dedicated public servant."
— Erika Jacobson