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Outside Money Again Looks Likely to Play A Role in Virginia's Elections

MBandman / Creative Commons

As the politics of 2018 heat up, money is flooding in from across the country.

Republicans say billionaire hedge fund manager Tom Steyer is trying to buy Virginia politics. They criticize Democrats for sounding the alarm about Russian collusion while applauding outside money from California. But Democratic strategist Ben Tribbett says that criticism doesn’t hold water.

“So long as the rules are what they are, I think that what Tom Steyer is doing is fantastic and maybe it will encourage those on the right who have been blocking campaign finance reform to reconsider their position.”

He says don’t forget about the political influence of the right wing Koch brothers, who fund efforts here in Virginia with Americans for Prosperity. Republican strategist Dan Scandling says the influence of money knows no partisan bounds.

“Both sides do it, so it’s not clean hands here. It’s not just the Democrats doing it. We on our side, the Republican side, do it too. It’s about winning, and if you’ve got a big sugar daddy that will come in and do it, that’s politics of today.”

It’s a trend that started in 2009, when outside money became the largest category of campaign contributors. In last year’s election for governor, outside groups gave $30 million — more than Virginia companies, Virginia people and Virginia lobbyists combined.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.