Dominion Energy Bankrolling Anonymous Attacks on Glenn Youngkin
Monopoly still swimming in McAuliffe authorized overcharges of ratepayers
ROANOKE - Finance reports released this weekend show that Dominion Energy's political action committee is bankrolling "anonymous" attacks ads against Republican nominee for Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Just six years ago, then-Governor Terry McAuliffe guaranteed that Dominion Energy would take extra profits, signing Rate Freeze legislation allowing Virginia's electric monopolies to overcharge Virginians by over a billion dollars.
Dominion Energy Inc. Political Action Committee's most recent finance report shows four contributions through September 30 totaling $250,000 to the shadowy "Accountability Virginia PAC." Any additional contributions to "Accountability Virginia PAC" from Dominion's PAC made in the critical weeks leading up to Election Day will not be reported until after the gubernatorial inauguration in January.
The same week McAuliffe's campaign launched ads aimed at suburban audiences saying Youngkin is too pro-gun rights, "Accountability Virginia PAC" launched ads aimed at rural audiences saying Youngkin is insufficiently committed to the Second Amendment. "Accountability Virginia PAC" has been linked to Democratic Party strategists.
"The monopolies got a great financial return the last time they politically financed Terry McAuliffe," said Senator David Suetterlein (R-Roanoke County). "He delivered their rate freeze, sticking working Virginians with hundreds of millions in overcharged electric bills. By funding this shadowy PAC attacking Glenn Youngkin, Dominion has become even more cynical in its attempt to keep Virginia on the McAuliffe-Northam crony merry-go-round."
Dominion Energy was McAuliffe's largest direct corporate contributor in 2013 but has since shifted to generally funneling money to top Democrats through PACs that are not required to disclose their contributions as frequently.
After Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring publicly swore off taking Dominion contributions in 2018, the monopoly instead continued financial support to reelect Herring during this year's Democratic Primary, contributing $200,000 to the Democratic Attorney General's Association (DAGA). By funneling contributions to Herring through DAGA, Dominion escaped disclosing the $200,000 in contributions until months after the primary.
"Although she broke her promise when she accepted $100,000 from Dominion before the Democratic Primary, Delegate Hala Ayala may ironically be the most transparent member of the statewide Democrat ticket," Suetterlein noted. "Delegate Ayala broke her word and took huge Dominion contributions after her self-imposed prohibition, but she was honest about breaking her word. McAuliffe and Herring instead cynically reap six-figure Dominion contributions through shadow PACs while working Virginians are being overcharged on their electric bills.
"Dominion Energy disgracefully bankrolling deceitful and seemingly anonymous attacks on Glenn Youngkin aimed at reducing voter participation in western Virginia is a cynical new low in McAuliffe's marriage with the electric monopoly."
Virginia Senator David Suetterlein was elected to a second term in November 2019 representing Salem and Bedford, Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke and Wythe counties in the Virginia Senate. He lives in Roanoke County with his wife where their children attend public schools. He is a Realtor with the Roanoke Valley owned and operated MKB, REALTORS.
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