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Organizations supporting or opposing candidates in the District 65 House of Delegates race have spent thousands on political advertising. FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Virginia have spent $198,678 on pro-Joshua Cole and anti-Sean Steinway advertising in the 2025 House of Delegates race in District 65, according to the latest campaign finance reports. By comparison, The Family Foundation Action and Heritage Action of America have spent $58,165 on pro-Steinway advertising, according to the non-profit Virginia Public Information Project based on financial filings with the State Board of Elections. Heritage Action of America also spent $851 on anti-Cole advertising. "Independent expenditures," which are outlays of cash by organizations who are supporting or opposing a candidate, are allowed under campaign finance laws, provided that they are spent without any coordination of a particular candidate. These are counted separately from the donations a candidate's campaign committee receives. Cole, who is the incumbent Democrat in District 65, previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2020 to 2022 and was elected to his current term in 2024. He faces Republican challenger Steinway in the Nov. 5 election. Also See ... Del. Joshua Cole Seeks District 65 House Of Delegates Seat: Questionnaire Early Voting For Nov. 4 Election In Fredericksburg: What To Know As of Sept. 30, Cole has raised $955,772 in campaign contributions compared to the $517,836 Steinway received from donors, according to VPAP. Cole's top donors were: $80,000 - House Democratic Caucus $65,000 - Clean Virginia Fund $22,254 - Canal Partners Media $20,000 - Atul Gupta $18,750 - The PAC for America's Future $15,000 - S Sonjia Smith $7,500 - American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) $7,500 - Jane Fonda Climate PAC The Clean Virginia Fund supports candidates who "advance clean government and clean energy by fighting utility monopoly corruption in Virginia politics." Canal Partners media "advocates for marriage equality and the legalization of marijuana, fought for sensible gun safety laws, and worked on behalf of the DNC, DSCC, and DCCC." The PAC for America's Future supports "majority-making candidates to run evidence-based, effective campaigns and win state legislative majorities that are committed to a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future for all." Steinway's top donors were: $25,000 - Todd Gilbert for Delegate $25,000 - Moving Mountains PAC $20,000 - Israel O'Quinn for Delegate $17,290 - Lee Peters for Delegate $15,000 - Republican Commonwealth Leadership PAC $15,000 - Michael Webert for Delegate $10,000 - American Culture Project $5,500 - Paul Milde for Stafford County Supervisor The Moving Mountains PAC is a Republican leadership committee associated with Del. Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City) The American Culture Project is a conservative nonprofit headquartered in Illinois that seeks "to attract, educate and mobilize independent voters around the ideas of freedom and opportunity." Fredericksburg City voters can cast early ballots in the Nov. 4 general election through Nov. 1 at Fredericksburg City Center, 6001 Caroline St., fifth floor. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Extended voting hours are Oct. 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
