Virginia Election Funding Raises Questions About Influence

In the lead-up to Virginia's elections, concerns have been raised about the influence of dark money in state politics. A recent investigation by CNBC has shed light on the financial ties between several prominent figures and organizations that could impact the outcome of the election.

At the center of this controversy is Arthur Dantchik, a co-founder of Susquehanna International Group with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz. According to tax records reviewed by CNBC, Dantchik has given more than $150 million to his charitable organization, the Claws Foundation, since 2017. This foundation, along with another organization called the Susquehanna Foundation, has contributed over $25 million to libertarian-minded nonprofit groups since 2016.

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a Washington think tank known for opposing government regulations in industries such as finance, energy, and technology, has received donations from both foundations. CEI has also been supported by other organizations that have advanced policies beneficial to Dantchik's business interests or those close to him.

Other recipients of funding from the Susquehanna and Claws foundations include the Institute for Justice, a tax-exempt legal group that has litigated cases up to the Supreme Court, and the Atlas Network, an organization that promotes 'free market' principles. The Cato Institute, a prominent libertarian think tank, has also received significant funding from these organizations.

The transparency of this financial network is questionable, with both foundations listing their paperwork at a firm in Virginia over 150 miles away from Susquehanna International Group's headquarters. Dantchik and Yass, his business partner, declined to comment on the matter through a spokesman.

As Virginians prepare to head to the polls, these revelations raise important questions about the influence of dark money in state politics. As election season heats up, voters deserve to know who is funding campaigns and what their interests are. Transparency is key to ensuring that elections are fair and representative of the people's will.

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