Speaker Receives Last-Minute Contribution From AOL

AOL Inc., the parent company of Patch.com, made a last-minute $3,000 contribution to incumbent Republican Del. Bill Howell on Friday, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP.

Howell, the House speaker, is running unopposed in Tuesday's election. His district includes parts of Stafford County and the city of Fredericksburg.

VPAP has been keeping a tally of last-minute contributions received by all candidates since Oct. 26, the cutoff date for the final pre-election campaign disclosure office-seekers are required to file.

AOL's corporate headquarters is in New York, though the company still maintains a significant presence in Dulles.

AOL has contributed to at least 30 Virginia candidates this election cycle, mostly those running for the state General Assembly.

The company has contributed $40,000 to Democratic candidates and $20,000 to Republican candidates this cycle, according to VPAP.

Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Janet Howell received a $1,500 contribution from AOL in August.

Patch is part of the AOL Huffington Post Media Group.

This article has been updated. The original story indicated AOL's last-minute contribution was to Janet Howell, not Bill Howell. Patch regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.