Tysons Casino Backer Donates $136K To 2 Candidates In Lt. Governor's Race

RESTON, VA — Since the beginning of May, Comstock Holding Companies, the Reston-based developer who is seeking to build a casino in Tysons, donated more than $100,000 to the campaigns of two candidates in the Virginia lieutenant governor’s race, according to the latest financial filings.

Starting in December 2024, Comstock’s two political action committees have donated a total of $66,500 to Hashmi Ghazala and $70,000 to Aaron Rouse, who are both on the ballot in next Tuesday’s Democratic primary. A majority of Comstock’s contributions — $85,000 — were made since June 4.

The four other candidates in that race — Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney; Babur Lateef, the Prince William County School Board chair; attorney Victor Salgado and labor leader Alex Bastani — have not received any donations from Comstock’s PACs.

During a May 22 debate hosted by the NOVA Democratic Black Caucus, Bastani, Lateef, Salgado and Stoney said they opposed the proposal to build a casino on Metro’s Silver Line in Tysons, according to Annandale Today.

At the same debate, Ghazala said she supported the casino legislation because it “provides good union jobs, that enables an economy to grow and expand our middle class,” according to Annandale Today. “Every time I look at legislation, it is through the lens of working families.”

Rouse also said he supported the casino referendum because it “will give localities the option to put out a referendum to let people decide whether or not they will want a casino.”

In 2024 and 2025, the casino legislation failed to advance out of the Virginia General Assembly. Senate Bill 982, which was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon), did pass the Senate on a 24 to 16 vote in February, but was shelved by a committee in the House of Delegates.

RELATED: Views On Tysons Casino Shared By VA Lt. Governor Candidates

Hashmi Ghazala - $66,500

Ghazala for Virginia - $50,000

• $25,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (June 4, 2025)
• $25,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (June 4, 2025)

Friends of Ghazala Hashmi - $12,000

• $10,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (Dec. 9, 2024)
• $2,000 - Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC (Jan. 9, 2024)

Hashmi for Senate - $4,500

• $4,500 - Building a Remarkable Virginia PAC (Jan. 9, 2024)

Aaron Rouse - $70,000

Aaron Rouse for Virginia - $65,000

• $25,000 - Building a Remarkable Virginia (May 9, 2025)
• $25,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (June 5, 2025)
• $10,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (June 10, 2025)

Aaron Rouse for Senate - $5,000

• $5,000 - Comstock Hospitality Holdings (Dec. 26, 2024)

Also See:

• Tysons Casino Proposal To Resurface In 2026: Reston Lawmakers
• Tysons Casino Bill Killed For 2025 VA Legislative Session
• 3rd Fairfax Supervisor States Opposition To Tysons Casino Bill

In September 2023, Patch first broke the story that Reston-based developer Comstock Holding Companies wanted to build a casino somewhere along the Silver Line outside the Capital Beltway in Fairfax County.

Since then, the builder, its employees and allies have spent more than $1.5 million in campaign contributions and lobbying efforts in support of the casino legislation.

Early voting is underway in the June 17 Democratic Party primary, which will decide who will face Republican John Reid in November in the lieutenant governor's race.

Read all of Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' plan to build a casino on Metro's Silver Line in Fairfax County at Silver Line Casino.