From Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)’s reelection campaign:
NEW TV AD: Republican Police Chief Endorses Abigail Spanberger; Criticizes Vega’s Extreme Positions
Virginia Republican Police Chief Endorses Spanberger; Denounces Yesli Vega’s False Comments on Rape-Related Pregnancy and her Defense of January 6th Insurrectionists
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The campaign of Rep. Abigail Spanberger — a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer — released its latest ad, “Shocked.”
The ad features Culpeper Police Chief Chris Jenkins endorsing Spanberger for reelection in Virginia’s 7th District. In the new ad, Chief Jenkins strongly denounces Spanberger’s extremist opponent – Yesli Vega – for making shocking comments about the likelihood that victims of rape can become pregnant. Additionally, Chief Jenkins, who is a Republican, condemns Vega’s comments bashing the FBI as “CORRUPT” and “DEEP STATE,” and her all-out denial of the brutal events on January 6, 2021.
Chief Chris Jenkins
I’ve been a police officer for 45 years…
I have spent a lifetime protecting this community…
And I thought I had seen everything…
Until now.
When Yesli Vega, a police officer, said she doubts rape leads to pregnancy
I was shocked.
She bashed the FBI…
And defended those who attacked our Capitol…
That’s just wrong.
I’m a Republican, and I’m supporting Abigail Spanberger…
Because she puts country and community over party.
“My opponent has doubted that victims of rape can become pregnant, voted three times against funding local police departments as a member of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, bashed federal law enforcement officers for conducting a legal search, and defended the insurrectionists on January 6 who attacked the U.S. Capitol and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect it,” said Spanberger. “As a former federal law enforcement officer, I believe in the rule of law. At a time when Virginians are concerned about the safety of our communities, I am working to deliver. I have voted with a majority of my colleagues in the U.S. House to increase funding for local police departments, enact commonsense gun violence prevention, and help those struggling with substance use disorders. I thank Chief Jenkins for his service to the citizens of Culpeper for the past 45 years, and I am so grateful to have his support.”
Click here to watch the full ad.
BACKGROUND
Spanberger – a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer – holds herself accountable to all Virginians – whether they voted for her or not. In a recent op-ed, Spanberger wrote about her commitment to public safety.
Earlier this year, Spanberger was once again ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia and among the top five most bipartisan Members of the U.S. House overall.
Since she was first elected to serve in Congress, Spanberger has voted every year to increase funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs. The COPS program helps Virginia police departments hire new police officers and support community policing initiatives. Most recently, from 2021–2022, Spanberger voted to increase COPS funding by more than 32 percent.
Additionally, Spanberger has voted to increase funding for federal law enforcement (U.S. Marshals, FBI, DEA, ATF). From 2019–2020, and 2020–2021, Spanberger voted to increase federal law enforcement funding by three percent each year. This year, 2021–2022, Spanberger voted to increase federal law enforcement funding by four percent.
Spanberger was a cosponsor of and voted to pass the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act, which would make critical investments in local police departments for recruitment, training, and retention.
Spanberger’s opponent, Yesli Vega, a former police officer, doubted the likelihood that women who are raped can become pregnant and made clear in endorsement questionnaires that she supports a nationwide ban on abortion – even in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.
Most recently, it was reported that Vega would vote for a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion nationally and cosposor the Life at Conception Act – a bill that declares a fetus human at the moment of conception.
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