Rouse Used Virginia’s Dark Money Loophole To Shield Donor Identities

Senator Aaron Rouse was able to keep the fact that his large donors were casino interests a secret until after the election.

Published August 7, 2025

A discrepancy between state and federal campaign finance requirements has given Virginia candidates, including State Senator Aaron Rouse, an opportunity to shield their donors’ identities until after the elections.

One of Rouse’s largest donors to his Lt. Governor campaign was a federal PAC named Our States Matter. Dedicated to flipping legislative districts Democrat, OSM donated $195,000 to the campaign and even though the election was May 2^nd, federal campaign finance filings were not required until July 31.

For almost two months, Virginia votes were left in the dark. (RELATED: Spanberger Campaign for Governor Bankrolled by Big Business and Megadonors)

When the FEC filings were released July 31, they releveled that a significant amount of the money OSM invested in Rouse’s failed campaign came from gambling manufacturer Pace-O-Matic and its owners. Rouse has sponsored legislation legalizing skill games and gambling throughout Virginia, but the legislation was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Pace-O-Matic has previously donated to Rouse. (RELATED: Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones Campaigns on Reform, Built Career Defending Corporations)

The legality of so-called “Skill Games” that resemble slot machines is a major issue in both the legislature and the courts.

OSM PAC was the 6^th largest campaign donor to Rouse whose top contributors included Democrat staples such as Planned Parenthood and Clean Virginia Fund. Rouse also received support from gambling related donors including Republic Amusements, East Coast Amusements, and others.

Our States Matter PAC has contributed more than $400,000 to Virginia candidates since 2019. Since federal regulations consider 2025 to be an “off-year,” federal reporting requirements are limited.

“Federal PACs become an attractive option for those looking to avoid Virginia’s disclosure requirements and attempt to influence Virginian elections without detection,” said John Martin, research assistant professor of law at the University of Virginia. “This is a problem because Virginia voters end up not fully knowing who is actually influencing our state and local politics. Other states subject federal PACs to state-level campaign finance laws. There is no reason why Virginia could not do so.”