Abigail Spanberger has decried “dark money” in politics, stating that “if dollars are flowing into a campaign, people should know where it’s coming from,” and said she was working to “root out dark money,” but is backed by “Protect Our Care” and “House Majority Forward”—“dark money” groups that spent millions to support Spanberger and other vulnerable House Democrats:

• In a press release in March, 2019, Spanberger stated that “if dollars are flowing into a campaign, people should know where it’s coming from.” “Spanberger also aims to curb the influence on voting of untraceable ‘dark money’ campaign contributions made by corporations, organizations and political action committees. Such entities face far weaker financial reporting requirements than do individual political candidates. ‘If dollars are flowing into a campaign, people should know where it’s coming from,’ she said.” (U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, “Spanberger Details Why She’s Out Front on Election Security,” Press Release, Spanberger.house.gov, 3/9/19)

• In a June, 2019 interview, Spanberger also claimed that she was “rooting out dark money.” “If voters are to believe that their legislators are ethical and will fight for the people, campaign finance laws must be changed, Spanberger said. ‘People often assume that those who give the most money, the lobbyists, the special interests, are the ones driving the conversation in Washington,’ she said. ‘This is a really firm way for us to say, we’re going to be sure you know what dollars are flowing into campaigns and we’re rooting out dark money, to make sure that people feel like their voice matters more.’” (Clint Schemmer, “Spanberger Leads Campaign-Finance, Ethics-Reform Push,” Culpeper Star-Exponent, 6/6/19)

• In September, 2019, “Protect Our Care”—a Democrat-aligned group focused on health care—announced that it would spend $2 million on an ad campaign to support vulnerable house members, including Spanberger. “A Democrat-aligned group focused on health care is seeking to give 10 vulnerable House members an early political boost through a new $2 million ad campaign. Protect Our Care plans to launch a digital ad campaign Wednesday to promote the work by 10 Democratic freshmen on health care issues, touting votes to protect preexisting condition protections. The ads will support Democrats Colin Allred of Texas; Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer of Iowa; Andy Kim of New Jersey; Katie Porter of California; Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens of Michigan; Abigail Spanberger of Virginia; Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico; and Lauren Underwood of Illinois.” (Mary Ellen McIntire, “Health Care Group Backs Democrats with Seven-Figure Ad Campaign,” Roll Call, 9/18/19)

o Protect Our Care is associated with “Sixteen Thirty Fund,” an advocacy and incubator group which has been criticized as a “darker-than-dark money” organization targeting Republican candidates. “Protect Our Care is a project of the 501(c)(4) advocacy group and incubator Sixteen Thirty Fund, which manages a number of single-issue advocacy front groups. Critics have characterized Sixteen Thirty Fund as a ‘darker-than-dark money’ organization targeting Republican political candidates.” (Influence Watch, “Protect Our Care,” Influencewatch.org, accessed 10/7/19)

• In October, 2019, House Majority Forward—a group backed by Nancy Pelosi— announced that it would spend over $1 million dollars in 11 districts held by vulnerable House Democrats, including Abigail Spanberger. “A Democratic group is reportedly set to air ads beginning this week in the districts of 11 vulnerable House Democrats as the Democratic-controlled chamber launches its impeachment inquiry into President Trump. The Washington Post reported Sunday that the Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) backed group, House Majority Forward, is set to spend more than $1 million on the ads. The Democrats included in the campaign are Freshmen Reps. Antonio Delgado (N.Y.), Haley Stevens (Mich.), Cindy Axne (Iowa), Angie Craig (Minn.), Abby Finkenauer (Iowa), Susie Lee (Nev.), Elaine Luria (Va.), Chris Pappas (N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Abigail Spanberger (Va.) and Matthew Cartwright (Pa.), according to the Post.” (Rebecca Klar, “Pelosi- Backed Group Funding Ads for Vulnerable Democrats Amid Impeachment Inquiry,” The Hill, 10/6/19)

o House Majority Forward is the 501c(4) arm of House Majority PAC—the Democratic Super PAC for Congressional races that is aligned with Nancy Pelosi—and can keep it’s donors and many details of its finances hidden from the public. “A new ‘dark money’ group funded by secret donors plans to spend almost all of its $10.4 million budget on ads helping Democrats in House races heading into 2020. House Majority Forward was quietly incorporated in March but operated under the radar until its public launch in July as a new 501(c)(4) arm of House Majority PAC, the Democrats’ flagship super PAC for congressional races that is closely aligned with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Unlike the super PAC, HMF can keep its donors, as well as many details of its activities and finances, hidden from the public.” (Anna Massoglia and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, “New ‘Dark Money’ Group Devotes Multi-Million Dollar Budget to Ads Helping Democrats,” Center for Responsive Politics, 8/22/19)