Spanberger endorses Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor in congressional race
Table of Contents
Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger Tuesday endorsed Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor for the First Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Rob Wittman.
Taylor is among a group of nine Democrats vying for their party's nomination and the chance to challenge Wittman in next November's election. She entered the race in September and is viewed as the party's frontrunner.
The First District also is being viewed as a seat ripe for Democrats to flip, since Spanberger, a Democrat, won the vote within its boundaries on her way to an overwhelming victory earlier this month. Spanberger also is a Henrico resident.
“As Henrico’s top prosecutor, Shannon Taylor has delivered justice with integrity, independence, and a deep commitment to the people she serves,” Spanberger said in a statement. “For more than a decade, she has worked to keep families safe — prosecuting violent offenders, protecting victims, and standing firm against those who would do her community harm. Now she’s ready to take that same fight to Washington. I’ve known Shannon for years, I’ve seen her work up close, and I know she will fight tirelessly for the hardworking families of Virginia’s First District.”
In her own statement, Taylor said she was honored to have the endorsement of Spanberger, who previously represented the Seventh District, which for a time included Henrico's West End as the First District does now.
“[Spanberger] has dedicated her career to public service and understands how important it is that Virginia is safe and affordable,” Taylor said. “I look forward to partnering with her to lower costs, keep communities safe, and build a Virginia where every family can get ahead.”
Taylor is currently in her fourth term at Henrico Commonweawlth's Attorney, having first been elected in 2011.
In her role, she has worked to support victims of human trafficking, created a task force to address the opioid epidemic, and worked with prosecutors statewide in pledging not to criminalize women or doctors for abortion care.
