“I do not know how much dark money there is out there in state races in Virginia,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “But there will be more in 2017 than ever before, I’m sure. As you say, the state’s laws are loose enough that many donors do not feel constrained under current law. But giving in private mode has its advantages for some high profile donors who do not like to call public attention to their investments in politicians.”
