A national group focused on electing Democrats to state legislatures is pouring more than $5 million into Virginia House races this November, according to plans shared first with POLITICO.
The extra cash, which marks the largest investment from The States Project this cycle, comes as Virginia Democrats are feeling confident about their ability to obtain a governing trifecta. They believe they can expand their narrow one-seat majority in the House and flip the governorship. Their candidate at the top of the ticket, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has held a wide lead in the race for months. Democrats also control the state Senate by a single seat, which is not up this cycle.
The group argues that a Democratic-controlled Legislature could provide a bulwark against the policies pushed by the Republican administration. Democrats in the state House said they would pass a trio of constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion rights, reproductive access and marriage equality if they maintain a majority. Those proposed additions to the state constitution passed both chambers this year — and need to be approved again next year before appearing on statewide ballots in 2026.
State Democrats think districts with large numbers of federal employees are particularly strong targets in a state that has suffered economic impacts from spending cuts and tariff policies President Donald Trump put in place. They also cite strong recruitment as evidence of enthusiasm — the party is running candidates in each of the 100 districts in the state for the first time in recent history.
The group, founded by former state Sen. New York Daniel Squadron and Democratic donor Adam Pritzker, has expanded its investments in state legislative races in recent elections by playing in battleground states across the country to help Democrats both shore up their majorities and flip chambers. The group directed $4.5 million to Virginia legislative races in 2023.
Donations come mostly from “giving circles,” or small groups that adopt a state and raise money through social events, drawing in donors by arguing that their dollars go further in small legislative races than flashy national ones. Those giving circles have raised more than $4 million this year, according to the group.
“As attacks on democracy escalate nationwide, state legislatures are the last line of defense to safeguard our fundamental freedoms,” said Mandara Meyers, executive director of The States Project, in a statement. “Our historic spend in Virginia sets the tone for the rest of the cycle, and is the first in our national effort to build and defend pro-democracy legislatures across the country.”
At least 10 competitive seats are in play, mostly concentrated in the suburbs. A strong performance by Spanberger across the state could lift down-ballot candidates.
The States Project investment comes on top of $3 million from the Democratic National Committee to Virginia Democrats’ coordinated campaign, and more than $2 million from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
“Right now, Virginians are heading to the polls to hold Republicans accountable for shutting down the government, eliminating Virginia jobs, and raising prices for working families,” said Heather Williams, president of the DLCC.
