Clean Virginia: Youngkin should continue bipartisan progress on energy, ethics reform

From Clean Virginia:

Clean Virginia: Youngkin should continue bipartisan progress on energy, ethics reform

10 Clean Virginia-backed House incumbents defend seats against competitive challengers

November 3, 2021

CHARLOTTESVILLE  — In response to the results of Virginia’s 2021 general elections, Clean Virginia Executive Director Brennan Gilmore said,

“The progress made so far in Virginia on energy and good governance reform is thanks to bipartisan leadership and cooperation. Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin should continue that tradition so that every Virginian will benefit from fair and ethical governance and an affordable clean energy economy.”

“Both gubernatorial candidates knew that refusing direct campaign contributions from Dominion Energy would resonate with voters. Now it’s time for Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin to make good on campaign promises and hold Dominion Energy accountable. There is a powerful contingent of legislators from both parties in the Virginia General Assembly who have fought hard for energy and ethics reform — they must now defend the legislative progress already made that protects Virginia from corporate polluters and the worst impacts of the climate crises, unethical self-dealing, and unaffordable energy costs.”

Clean Virginia’s Political Action Committee, Clean Virginia Fund invested nearly $3 million in the 2021 General Election in key regions, including the districts of ten incumbents who defended their seats against competitive challengers —  Del. Dawn Adams (D-Richmond), Del. Kelly Fowler (D-Virginia Beach), Del. Wendy Gooditis (D-Loudoun), Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Woodbridge), Del. Dan Helmer (D-Fairfax), Del. Mike Mullin (D-Newport News), Del. Danica Roem (D-Prince William), Del. Clinton Jenkins (D-Norfolk), Del. Shelly Simonds (D-Newport News), and Del. Rodney Willett (D-Henrico), and in the district of Del. Alex Askew (D-Virginia Beach) a Clean Virginia champion whose race remains uncalled.

In addition to direct financial support to over 60 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates, all of whom share a principled stance against accepting campaign contributions from Virginia utility monopolies and owning stock in those companies, canvassers knocked on over 100,000 doors in over a dozen districts. Additionally, a Clean Virginia-funded advertising program featuring an anti-corruption message and Delegate votes to lower electricity bills reached millions of voters on digital platforms.

“The message from voters on doorsteps and online was crystal clear: the era of corporate monopolies ruling Virginia politics must end. The winners of this week’s elections should uplift those voices when they are facing armies of corporate utility lobbyists seeking to manipulate the law and self-regulate.”

See the full list of endorsements here. 

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Clean Virginia is a 501(c)4 independent advocacy organization with an associated Political Action Committee, Clean Virginia Fund. Clean Virginia works to fight corruption in Virginia politics in order to promote clean energy, a robust, competitive economy, and community control over our energy policy. We are motivated by the core belief that our democracy should serve average Virginians over special interests.