Three Virginia Democrats Defy Environmental Group, Except Dominion Energy Contributions
RICHMOND, VA – In a move signaling potential cracks in a key Democratic coalition, three Virginia lawmakers – Delegates Terry Reid, David Rouse, and Carrie Convirs-fowler – have accepted campaign contributions from Dominion Energy, despite ongoing pressure from the environmental advocacy group clean Virginia to reject such funding. The donations come as electric bills in the state reach record highs and Clean Virginia continues its push for a ban on political contributions from public utilities.
Clean Virginia alleges Dominion uses customer funds to influence legislation favorable to its profits. “Dominion uses customers’ money to gain influence in the legislature to increase its profits,” said Brennan Gilmore,the executive director of Clean Virginia. ”Recent elections have reinforced that Virginians wont leaders who do not take money from public utilities. This is particularly true at a time when electric bills are at an all-time high and simply unaffordable for too many Virginians.”
Dominion maintains its political spending comes from employees and shareholders, not directly from customer bills. “Like most companies, we participate in the political process on behalf of our customers and employees,” said Aaron Ruby, a spokesperson for Dominion. “Our contributions are bipartisan and transparent, and we don’t ask candidates to make pledges.”
Clean virginia has repeatedly attempted to pass legislation prohibiting utility companies from donating to politicians, but those efforts have failed annually. The acceptance of Dominion funds by Reid, Rouse, and Convirs-Fowler suggests continued resistance to such a ban within the Democratic party.
While Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail spanberger has not accepted Dominion money,she has not committed to signing legislation banning utility company contributions,stating in June she would “work with the legislature on a variety of potential reforms in the campaign finance space.”
Convirs-Fowler emphasized her commitment to constituents, stating, ”My responsibility is to the peopel and community that I represent, not to lobbyists and special interests. I will remain committed to my work toward making Virginia more affordable for working families and ensuring that government by the people works for the people.” Reid and Rouse have not publicly commented on the contributions.
