Clean Virginia
 | |
| Formation | 2018 |
|---|---|
Founder | Michael Bills |
| Website | www |
Clean Virginia is an American political advocacy group that primarily supports Democratic Party candidates in Virginia. It is notable for being one of the largest donors in Virginia politics.[1]
History
[edit]Clean Virginia was founded in 2018 by investor and Democratic megadonor Michael Bills.[2] It was founded with the stated goal of curbing the political influence of Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest energy utility.[1] It has a political action committee called the Clean Virginia Fund.[3]
Activities
[edit]The organization's stated mission is to "advance clean government and clean energy by fighting utility monopoly corruption in Virginia politics".[4] Clean Virginia only funds candidates who have not accepted money from Dominion Energy.[1]
As of 2021, Clean Virginia had donated to around 40 out of 55 Democratic Virginia House of Delegates incumbents, according to a spokesman.[5] In the 2023 Virginia legislative elections, Clean Virginia spent $11.8 million, the vast majority of which on Democratic campaigns.[4] In the 2022–2023 Virginia campaign cycle, Michael Bills (almost all of whose donations went to Clean Virginia) and his wife Sonjia Smith together spent over $17 million.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Rankin, Sarah (2023-03-28). "Clean Virginia offers endorsements, plans 8-figure spend". AP News. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Schneider, Gregory S. (2023-11-01). "Va. megadonor Michael Bills funds Democrats. But he's no party insider". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Martz, Michael (2025-05-21). "Clean Virginia endorses Spanberger in governor's race". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b Jarvis, Brandon (2025-04-17). "Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy face off again in statewide primary". Virginia Scope. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Moomaw, Graham (2021-05-26). "Va. House Democratic Caucus OKs mailers portraying top Democratic donors as 'dark money billionaires'". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Schneider, Gregory S.; Vozzella, Laura (2023-11-08). "Virginia Democrats projected to sweep General Assembly, dealing blow to GOP". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2025-05-28.