Former VA Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn Responds to “false attacks from…shadowy dark money group”

“It is disappointing but unsurprising that I face false and baseless attacks from a dark money group,” said Filler-Corn. “It is clear that my message – that we need women on the frontlines defending our rights and our freedom – resonates with voters. As Speaker, I made historic progress for the Commonwealth, rolling back right-wing abortion restrictions and holding election deniers accountable. These false attacks are plainly sexist and rely on vile antisemitic tropes. I will continue to run a positive race that highlights my experience and track record of delivering for the Commonwealth. I hope my primary opponents will speak out against this attack and promise to run a positive campaign. Democrats should not be attacking each other.”

Here are the facts:

• False Claim: Eileen Filler-Corn was a lobbyist for special interests like Big Pharma & Tobacco.
• The Truth: Filler-Corn has never lobbied for these groups and was never a registered lobbyist for either the tobacco or pharmaceutical industry, as stated in the AP article on which the attack was based. The AP already investigated this claim and said, “Filler-Corn was not a lobbyist,” and she left the firm before becoming Speaker.

• False Claim: Eileen Filler-Corn sided with Big Oil and blocked action on climate change.
• The Truth: Eileen Filler-Corn is an environmental champion with an A rating from the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters. As Speaker, she oversaw the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, putting the Commonwealth on a path toward carbon neutrality.

• False Claim: Eileen Filler-Corn received over $34,000 in gifts after siding with special interests.
• The Truth: The “gifts” that are baselessly purported to be improper were all approved and include items like travel for a Women in Government Conference. In fact, over her 14 years in the House of Delegates, she reported far fewer “gifts” annually than other colleagues of hers in this race, but she’s being held to different standards.

• False Claim: Eileen Filler-Corn is a bad Democrat.
• The Truth: Nothing could be further from the truth. Eileen Filler-Corn was the most accomplished Speaker of the House in generations – she rolled back right-wing abortion restrictions and held election deniers accountable. These unfounded attacks against the first woman and Jewish person to be Speaker of the House are overtly sexist and rely on despicable antisemitic tropes. The Speaker is the frontrunner in this race, and these false attacks from a dark money group have no place in this campaign. She will continue to run a positive race that highlights her experience and track record of delivering for the Commonwealth.

Eileen Filler-Corn, the former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, is running to represent Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. She made history by leading the most progressive House agenda in Virginia’s history. Filler-Corn championed gun safety, increased the minimum wage, expanded abortion rights, legalized cannabis, promoted a path to carbon neutrality, and enhanced voting rights. With over a decade of service, she now seeks to bring that progressive change to the national stage, advocating for the people of Northern Virginia. She is proudly endorsed by leaders, including former Governor Ralph Northam, former Attorn