In Virginia politics, non-candidate political action committees (PACs) have received $188.4 million in total donations between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The top 10 PACs raised more than $111.3 million, or 59 percent of all donations made to state-level PACs.

In odd-numbered years, voters in Virginia write checks to their favorite candidates, hoping to power their campaigns to victory on Election Day. The 2021 election cycle has been no different, with over $146.8 million in contributions already reported by candidates and committees across the state just ahead of this week’s primary elections. With only a few months to go before voters determine the direction of their state for the next four years, many of the big Virginia donors have already given well in excess of $1 million to their preferred candidates and political action committees (PACs).

In Virginia, elections are held every four years to determine the balance of power in the state’s executive government. With major state offices up for election during what is typically an “off-cycle” year after the presidential election, voters in Old Dominion always have important decisions to decide the future of their state.