Originally published by 13News Now | By Taylor Brokesh | April 6, 2026
NORFOLK, Va. — Ahead of Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum special election, campaign finance records are revealing a surge of donations flowing into the committees shaping the debate.
The pro-referendum group Virginians for Fair Elections has pulled in tens of millions from national political organizations and prominent Democratic-aligned donors, dramatically outpacing its opposition.
Meanwhile, Virginians for Fair Maps and an affiliated PAC working against the measure are drawing more limited — but notable — backing, including support from conservative-leaning groups.
Here’s a closer look at who’s funding both sides of the fight over how Virginia’s political maps are drawn.
Virginians for Fair Elections is a referendum committee that supports the passage of the redistricting referendum in Virginia. 13News Now has previously reported how the group had been vastly outspending its Republican counterpart, Virginians for Fair Maps.
According to campaign finance records, below are some of the individuals, groups and political action committees that have donated to the Virginians for Fair Elections referendum committee.
A full list of groups and individuals that made large contributions can be found at the original article.
According to Influence Watch, this political action committee is the advocacy arm of the House Majority Super PAC, which is associated with Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives, particularly House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
This total was divided into five cash contributions.
According to Influence Watch, this 501(c)(4) lobbying organization was founded and funded by billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros, known for funding Democratic and left-of-center causes. It is one of the groups belonging to Open Society Foundations, Soros’ giving network.
This $5,000,000 cash contribution was made on March 12, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
According to Influence Watch, this political action committee is the advocacy arm of the American Opportunity lobbying group, which is funded in large part by former New York mayor and billionaire media executive Michael Bloomberg.
The cash contribution by the PAC was made on Feb. 25, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
The former Speaker of the House’s congressional campaign, based in Washington, D.C., made a cash contribution of $20,000 on March 26, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
The California representative’s own home state adopted a new map back in August that favored Democrats over Republicans. In March, Pelosi also endorsed the former first lady of Virginia, Dorothy McAuliffe, who is running to represent the newly redrawn 7th District.
Pete Aguilar represents California’s 33rd District, which includes San Bernardino. He also chairs the House Democratic Caucus.
This cash contribution was made on March 20, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
Katherine Clark represents Massachusetts’ 5th District, which includes towns and suburbs just outside of Boston. She is also the House minority whip.
This cash contribution was made on March 6, according to Virginia campaign records.
Virginians for Fair Maps is a referendum committee that opposes the passage of the redistricting referendum in Virginia. 13News Now has previously reported how the group was vastly outspent by its Democratic counterpart, Virginians for Fair Elections.
As of April 6, only one organization outside of Virginia has donated to Virginians for Fair Maps: the Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation, the official trade association for the firearm industry. They donated a cash contribution of $50,000 on March 12, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
A full list of groups and individuals that made large contributions can be found at the original article.
While not an official referendum committee, this political action committee — based in Williamsburg — has drawn big-name donors from across the country. As 13News Now has previously reported, former Republican Delegate A.C. Cordoza is listed as the chairman of the PAC, and they have been fairly active in distributing material that encourages voters to oppose the referendum.
The PAC has caught the attention of a Massachusetts-based organization called Per Aspera Policy, Inc., which, over the course of two cash contributions on March 26 and April 2, donated $5 million to the PAC, according to Virginia campaign finance records.
According to Attorney General Jay Jones, citing Virginia Scope journalist Brandon Jarvis, Per Aspera Policy is backed by venture capitalist and conservative activist Peter Thiel. Thiel spent over $35 million in the 2022 midterm elections supporting Republican candidates, notably giving over $10 million to then-Senate candidate J.D. Vance.