The campaign for Virginia’s Democratic attorney general candidate, Jay Jones, has been receiving significant contributions from Democrats and pro-Democrat PACs following unsettling revelations about his past comments regarding violent actions against Republican leaders and their families. This comes as investigations into a reckless driving incident involving him are still ongoing.
The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), known for meticulously compiling donor information and campaign finance details, released Jones’ most recent financial disclosures this week.
Since the scandal erupted on October 3, Jones has amassed over $1 million in donations. A closer look at donations exceeding $5,000 reveals some notable contributors.
DAGA PAC, a committee supporting Democratic attorneys general, has contributed almost 75% of its $1 million total in three installments over the past fortnight. This includes two large donations of $250,000 and one of $230,000.
The second-largest donor was the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. This group, chaired by Democrats Luke Torian and Joshua Cole, donated $50,000 on October 20 and another $50,000 on the eve of the scandal breaking.
According to the VPAP, the Virginia 8th District Democratic Committee, representing a solidly Democratic area, gave $30,000 to Jones’ campaign on October 21.
The largest individual contributor during this timeframe was Adam Casagrande, a Norfolk attorney and executive, who donated $25,000. He is associated with a Virginia Beach company that provides diving equipment to the Department of Defense. He also made a similar donation to Rep. Abigail Spanberger and other prominent Democrats.
Another $25,000 came from Scott Schenker, noted in VPAP records as a significant donor from Berkeley, California, who has contributed to various Democratic figures, including former House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn.
Karen Waldron, a real estate developer from Botetourt County, contributed $15,000 to Jones on October 17 and to another Democratic candidate in a closely contested House race.
Shahir Kassam-Adams from Lovingston followed with a $10,000 contribution shortly after the scandal surfaced.
Interestingly, Jonathan Soros, the son of billionaire George Soros, made a $5,000 donation just days before the scandal became widely publicized.
