Latest
Dark money floods Virginia ahead of redistricting vote that could hand Democrats House edge
Tens of millions of dollars — much of it dark money from undisclosed donors — poured into Virginia this year ahead of Tuesday’s vote on a congressional redistricting referendum that, if passed, could give Democrats a significant boost in the battle for the U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections.
If the ballot measure is successful, it would give the Democrat-controlled Virginia legislature — rather than the state’s current nonpartisan commission — temporary redistricting power through the 2030 election. It could result in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia’s congressional delegation, up from their current 6-5 edge.
The referendum, which follows President Donald Trump’s push for rare but not unheard-of mid-decade redistricting in Republican-led states, could give Democrats an edge as they try to win back control of the House from Republicans, who are defending a fragile majority.
Supporters of redistricting have dramatically outraised and outspent groups opposed to the referendum, with Democrat-aligned Virginians for Fair Elections raising roughly three times as much as GOP-allied Virginians for Fair Maps. But despite the Democrats’ funding advantage, public opinion polling suggests support for the ballot initiative is only slightly ahead of opposition amid a surge in early voting, which ended Saturday.
SOROS-BACKED DARK MONEY GROUPS FUEL VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING PUSH
“They have outspent us three to one. They’ve raised over $70 million. And yet this is a close vote,” former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, one of leaders of the GOP effort to defeat the referendum, told Fox News Digital on the eve of the election.
Much of the funding raised by both sides came from so-called “dark money” from nonprofit public policy groups known as 501(c)(4) organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. This according to a Fox News Digital review of state campaign finance records and records from the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), which tracks public spending in Virginia..
“It points to the importance of this referendum,” David Richards, political science chair at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia, told Fox News Digital, as he highlighted the influx of outside money pouring into the state.
Richards said the funding “also shows how national money can cloud these statewide elections. Virginians need to decide what’s good for them and instead, it becomes a national issue that takes away from what is good for Virginia.”
REPUBLICANS SOUND ALARM ON DEMOCRATS’ ‘POWER GRAB’ IN CRUCIAL REDISTRICTING ELECTION
Given the green light from the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, nonprofit public policy groups can spend unlimited funds without disclosing their donors, which often masks large contributions from corporations or wealthy individuals.
But dark money has long come under attack over a lack of transparency, with voters not knowing who is funding the political messages they are seeing. It’s been criticized as a threat to democracy for allowing wealthy interests to influence elections and policy.
“it’s because you don’t actually know where the money is coming from,” Chris Galdieri, a professor in the political science department at Saint Anselm College, told Fox News Digital. “With dark money, it’s not even traceable to a particular interest…it means that voters don’t know what the motives of the donors are.”
DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB
On the “yes” side, House Majority Forward, which as the chief political nonprofit wing of House Democrats does not have to disclose its donors, has contributed nearly $40 million.
Other groups pumping big bucks into the Democrat effort to pass the referendum were fueled with millions of dollars from George Soros-backed dark money groups.
Meanwhile, the “no” effort has received $9 million from a group tied to tech billionaire Peter Thiel, a GOP megadonor and longtime Trump ally.
While often frowned upon, the use of dark money in politics is accelerating. Dark money groups shelled out more than $1.9 billion during the 2024 election cycle.
“Any rational person can look at the maps in Virginia and understand that this is a political game being played. It’s to benefit one party, not people,” veteran Republican strategist and communicator Ryan Williams argued. “What do they care if they finance their effort with dark money. It’s just another example of political gamesmanship in this process.”
Fox News’ Alec Schemmel and Leo Briceno contributed to this report.
Latest
Amtrak riders trapped for nearly 24 hours with overflowing bathrooms amid raging wildfires
Hundreds of passengers on an Amtrak train in Florida were left stranded for nearly 24 hours after wildfires broke out near the tracks — disrupting service, halting travel and leading to countless complaints.
The delays on Monday were caused by two brush fires near the Clay County-Putnam County line in northern Florida.
Train 98, part of the Silver Meteor route between Miami and New York, was forced to stop near Jacksonville, leaving some passengers stuck onboard for extended periods.
AMTRAK APOLOGIZES AFTER HEAT WAVE TRAPPED PASSENGERS WITHOUT AC OR POWER FOR OVER AN HOUR
Amtrak confirmed the incident and details in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
“For the safety of our passengers, train 98 returned to Miami yesterday with 232 passengers onboard after being delayed in Deland, Fla,” the company said. “Customers who traveled on this train will receive a full refund and Amtrak travel vouchers.”
Amtrak said most service in the area has since resumed — though two trains remain affected as crews continue to monitor wildfire conditions.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Some passengers took to social media, describing long delays, limited updates and worsening conditions onboard as the situation unfolded.
“We’ve now been sitting on the tracks for about 10 more hours with little to no clear updates,” one traveler commented on Reddit during the incident.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
“The bathrooms are overflowing and unusable,” the traveler added.
Some also raised concerns about access to food and other necessities during the extended wait.
“I’m starving and really have to use the bathroom, and can’t,” a traveler said.
Passengers on Train 98, however, were given snacks, drinks and food from the lounge car during the delay, FOX 35 reported, with additional food provided once the train reached Orlando.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The disruption on Monday also left some passengers scrambling to adjust travel plans, as cancellations and delays affected multiple routes and connections across the region.
Much of Florida is currently under drought conditions, which officials say contribute to increased wildfire risks, according to Fox Weather.
Fire weather warnings have also been issued across large parts of the state, including areas from the Panhandle through central and southwest Florida.
Latest
Candace Cameron Bure praises Bible event uniting Americans: ‘Such an exciting time in history’
Actress Candace Cameron Bure, known for her role as D.J. Tanner on the classic sitcom “Full House,” told Fox News that God brings people peace as “America Reads the Bible” takes place in Washington, D.C.
The event, which has brought hundreds of people together, features more than 495 Christian leaders who gather to read the Bible aloud from cover to cover.
The seven-day event, held at the Museum of the Bible, commemorates America’s 250th birthday, and President Donald Trump participated Tuesday by reading 2 Chronicles 7:11-22.
“It is such an exciting time in history,” Bure told “The Story” on Tuesday. “Never has this been done, to read the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in such a public platform, to join all Americans together. You said it, from entertainers to government officials, to pastors, to moms and dads, to educators, nurses — it’s American people reminding ourselves of who God is in our life.”
VANCE SAYS HE’S ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR POPE LEO’S STATEMENT ON NOT WANTING PUBLIC DEBATE WITH TRUMP
Bure said it felt “honoring” to read the “holy words” of God and explained that the event is not about a bunch of perfect people coming together to read Scripture, but just the opposite.
“We’re a bunch of imperfect people reminding ourselves that we need to be humble, and God is a God above all else,” she said.
The actress told Fox News that Gen Z is “going back to the basics” and pondering where they can find true peace and joy.
“God gives us that peace overall when we follow His ways,” Bure explained. “And so, more young people are realizing that. They are having encounters with God, and it is so exciting to see.”
Bure encouraged believers that God is a “patient” God and waits for His children with open arms.
“When you read the Bible in chronological order, it is the greatest love story you’ll ever read in a book because He is so patient throughout the ages, throughout the years, and He’s still patient with each and every one of us today, just waiting with open arms,” she said. “So, He calls every one of us and all you have to do is call back to His name, and He’s there.”
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.
Latest
Gates Foundation plans to cut up to 500 jobs while undergoing review of Jeffrey Epstein ties
The Gates Foundation plans to cut up to 500 jobs, or about 20% of its staff, in the coming years as part of a long-term restructuring as the foundation also undergoes an external review of its ties to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Following a Wall Street Journal report that a memo was sent to employees Tuesday, a Gates Foundation spokesperson told Fox News Digital the review was first announced in a foundation-wide email last month and was agreed upon by the board and Bill Gates. The foundation did not indicate whether the planned job cuts are tied to the review.
The job cuts were disclosed earlier this year as part of the foundation’s budget planning. The review, however, has drawn renewed scrutiny regarding the foundation’s past interactions with Epstein and its policies for vetting partnerships, raising broader questions about governance at one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations.
“Early this year, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review to assess past foundation engagement with Epstein, and our current policies for vetting and developing new philanthropic partnerships,” a statement said. “That review is underway, and we expect the board and management will receive an update this summer.”
BILL GATES CALLS HIMSELF ‘FOOLISH’ FOR SPENDING TIME WITH CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER JEFFREY EPSTEIN
The organization also said employees were informed about the job cuts during discussions of its 2026 budget in a January press release.
“This cap will reduce the foundation’s current headcount target of 2,375 positions by up to 500 positions by 2030, with targets and timelines to be calibrated on an annual basis,” the press release said.
The Gates Foundation was founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda Gates.
The review comes as renewed attention has been placed on Epstein’s connections. In February, the Department of Justice released more than 3 million of Epstein’s investigative records, including personal emails. Bill Gates’ name appeared in the emails, which reportedly indicated he had affairs while married to Melinda Gates and sought medication to treat a sexually transmitted infection without her knowledge.
CLINTON TEAM DEMANDS TRUMP DOJ RELEASE ‘ANY REMAINING’ DOCS RELATED TO FORMER PRESIDENT, EPSTEIN
Gates later reportedly acknowledged having two affairs that Epstein was aware of but said neither involved Epstein’s victims.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates said, according to a town hall recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee June 10 for a transcribed interview as part of its ongoing investigation into Epstein.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
-
Latest1 week agoVance Leaves Meeting, Looks Straight Into Camera, Announces Stunning Arrest
-
News2 weeks agoAll Hell Breaks Loose On Fox When Jesse Watters Asks Fetterman One Question
-
News5 days agoAdam Schiff Facing 30 Years In Prison After Bank Records Leak
-
Latest1 week agoSupreme Curt Sides With Trump — He Can Remove The All
-
News1 week agoNBC Stops LIVE Broadcast — Breaks Big Trump News
-
News1 week agoSwalwell Facing Jail Time After Sickening New Video Leaks
-
Latest2 weeks agoMelania Gets Huge Surprise 24 Hours After Making Epstein Announcement
-
News1 week agoFar Left Democrat ‘Squad’ Member LOSES — She’s Out
