Virginia Politics

Koch group launches new million dollar anti-Northam push in Va. governor’s race

By Fenit Nirappil October 20 at 6:00 AM
Americans for Prosperity, the heart of the billionaire Koch Brothers’ conservative political network, plans to ramp up its campaign against Ralph Northam, the Democrat in Virginia’s governor’s race.

The conservative group announced Friday that it would spend at least $1 million on mailers and digital ads targeting Northam’s record on taxes, education and economic development.

It follows at least $1.8 million in anti-Northam television commercials and mailers to date, according to data collected by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. The group also says it has contacted hundreds of thousands of Virginia voters through its phone-banking and canvassing efforts.
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Americans for Prosperity is the largest outside group aiding Gillespie’s candidacy. The National Rifle Association is spending at least $760,000 on pro-Gillespie commercials, according to records compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. ... Meanwhile, Northam has a constellation of progressive groups canvassing and overseeing digital advertising program on his behalf. They include billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer’s NextGen America, as well as the political arms of Planned Parenthood and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

Fenit Nirappil covers politics and government in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. He previously covered the California statehouse and suburban government outside Portland, Ore. Follow @FenitN