FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Amy Bacigalupo, Creative Director for Communications & Advocacy
October 14, 2026
Richmond, Va. — Clean Virginia announced today its endorsement of Delegate Mark Downey for Virginia Senate District 24, citing his proven record of fighting to lower costs for Virginia families and standing up to corporate interests that put profits ahead of consumers.
“Virginians want leaders who will fight to make everyday expenses more affordable, challenge the unchecked growth of the data center industry and remain independent from the utilities that profit from it,” said Brennan Gilmore, Clean Virginia executive director. “Delegate Downey has demonstrated that independence and consistently shown that he answers to the people he represents.”
Recent polling of Democratic primary voters in the district underscores the strength of Downey’s positions. Voters expressed overwhelmingly negative views of data centers, with those holding an unfavorable view outnumbering those with a favorable opinion by nearly four to one. This is a significant finding in a district where Jason Parker, Downey’s primary opponent, has publicly embraced data center development. The poll also found that 63% of voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate aligned with a utility company. Unlike Downey, Parker has extensively supported controversial Dominion Energy projects, including the failed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and stated publicly that he would welcome campaign contributions from the utility.
“The polling results reinforce what voters are increasingly telling elected officials: Data center growth should not come at the expense of Virginia families, and elected officials should represent their constituents, not the utilities they are responsible for overseeing,” said Gilmore. “Delegate Downey understands that making affordability a priority means fighting for a Commonwealth where no corporation is more powerful than the people it serves, and Clean Virginia is proud to endorse him for Senator.”
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Clean Virginia is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to removing corporate money from Virginia politics and reforming utility regulation to put customers first. Learn more at cleanvirginia.org.