Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy, two of the most powerful donors in Virginia politics, are once again going head-to-head in a statewide primary election. Clean Virginia is backing former Del. Jay Jones, while Dominion Energy is backing Henrico Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor in the Democratic primary for attorney general. They are also backing opposite candidates in the gubernatorial election.
Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy have been locked in a high-stakes battle for political influence — and there’s nothing subtle about it.
Clean Virginia, which states that their mission is to “advance clean government and clean energy by fighting utility monopoly corruption in Virginia politics,” only gives money to candidates who do not accept money from Dominion Energy, which is Virginia’s largest utility company.
Clean Virginia, which also supported Jones in his 2021 run for attorney general, gave him $150,000 during the first quarter of this year. Sonjia Smith, who is married to the founder of Clean Virginia and is a prominent donor in her own right, donated $25,000 to Jones.
Dominion gave Taylor’s campaign $50,000.
Overall, Jones outraised Taylor, bringing in $931,242 during the first quarter, compared to Taylor’s $534,275.
Dominion hedged its bets by also giving the Republican nominee, Attorney General Jason Miyares, $150,000.
Miyares outraised Jones and Taylor combined, bringing in $1.5 million, despite not being able to fundraise during the legislative session from January 8 to February 22.
“Jay Jones understands that the Attorney General must stand up to powerful corporate interests, not be bankrolled by them,” said Kate Asquith, the deputy director of Clean Virginia. “Virginians deserve elected officials who prioritize fairness, accountability and the people of the Commonwealth.”
Clean Virginia gave $17.2 million to Democratic candidates between 2020 and 2024. They gave $441,000 to Republicans during that same time period.
Dominion Energy gave $12.9 million to Democratic candidates between 2020 and 2024. They gave $11.9 million to Republicans during that same time period.
In 2021, Dominion entered the Democratic race for lieutenant governor during the final month and donated $100,000 to help the eventual nominee, Hala Ayala, fend off a large field of candidates.
In response, Clean Virginia launched a $125,000 digital ad campaign attacking Ayala in the final days of the primary.
“In the final days of the primary campaign for Virginia’s lieutenant governor, with tens of thousands of votes already cast, Del. Hala Ayala chose to break a public commitment taking $100,000 from Dominion Energy and betraying the public’s trust,” said Clean Virginia Executive Director Brennan Gilmore at the time.
Clean Virginia released a statement Thursday afternoon criticizing Republican gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears for accepting money from Dominion.
“Dominion’s contributions are strategic investments to shield itself from accountability and preserve its ability to overcharge Virginians,” Asquith said. “By accepting this money, Earle-Sears has shown where her loyalties lie—and it’s not with hardworking Virginia families.”
The utility company gave Sears $50,000.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger is not accepting contributions from Dominion Energy.
Clean Virginia has given Spanberger’s campaign $250,000.
- These numbers were pulled from VPAP.