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In a purple/reddish district like VA01, the strategy seems to be – in part – to demonstrate that the Democratic nominee, in this case Shannon Taylor, is fiercely independent, will stand up to anyone – even in her own party – etc. Also, of course, given the 100% predictable b.s. attacks by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01)’s campaign against Taylor for supposedly being “soft on crime” or whatever, it’s smart for Taylor to lead with being “Henrico’s top prosecutor for nearly 14 years where her leadership has resulted in an 86% drop in murders, put fentanyl dealers and fraudsters behind bars, and made Henrico a statewide leader in prosecuting sex trafficking.” We’ll see where the campaign’s ads go from here, but I’d expect a lot more of this in coming weeks, leading up to the November 3 midterm elections (note: early voting in Virginia starts on September 18, just 22 days from now!).
NEW AD: Prosecutor Shannon Taylor Launches First TV Ad Highlighting Support From Law Enforcement and Record of Keeping Virginians Safe
Law enforcement leaders stand with Shannon because they know she’ll hold anyone accountable – regardless of party – to do what’s right for Virginia
Henrico, VA – Today, prosecutor Shannon Taylor launched her first general election TV ad in her campaign for Congress in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. The ad, “Prosecutor,“ spotlights her record keeping Virginians safe and her backing from law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth.
In the ad, law enforcement leaders highlight Shannon’s tough-on-crime record, record keeping Virginia safe and willingness to stand up to anyone, even her own party. From starting her career in juvenile court prosecuting crimes against children and babies, to serving as Henrico’s top prosecutor for nearly 14 years where her leadership has resulted in an 86% drop in murders, put fentanyl dealers and fraudsters behind bars, and made Henrico a statewide leader in prosecuting sex trafficking.
The ad also spotlights Shannon’s independence, highlighting that thirteen Virginia sheriffs have endorsed her for Congress because she’ll hold anyone accountable – even members of her own party – to do what’s right. Included in the ad is Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron and Charles City Sheriff Jayson Crawley. Both sheriffs have supported Republicans in the past and Sheriff Crawley appeared in several Miyares ads – proving that regardless of party, law enforcement trusts Taylor to keep us safe.
Transcript:
Sheriff Michael Moore: Shannon got her start in Juvenile court
Sheriff Joe Baron: Prosecuting offenders whose victims were children
Sheriff Jayson Crawley: Even babies
Sheriff Sean Casey: As Henrico’s top prosecutor, Shannon’s overseen an eighty-six percent drop in murders
Sheriff Jayson Crawley: She put away fentanyl dealers
Sheriff Joe Baron: and fraudsters
Sheriff Sean Casey: And is a leader in prosecuting sex trafficking
Sheriff Michael Moore: Thirteen Sheriffs endorsed Shannon for Congress
Sheriff Joe Baron: Because she’ll hold anyone accountable,
Sheriff Jayson Crawley: Even her own party, to do what’s right
ST: I’m Shannon Taylor and I approve this message
Since taking office in 2011, Taylor has built one of Virginia’s most effective and aggressive records against violent crime. Her record includes:
A “historic” 86% drop in murders
90%+ Homicide Conviction Rate: Since 2014, Taylor’s office has convicted 125 defendants on homicide charges;
756 Sex Trafficking Charges Prosecuted: Taylor helped pass Virginia’s landmark commercial sex trafficking law, and her office has significantly outpaced neighboring jurisdictions in sex trafficking prosecutions;
1,500+ Drug Distribution Charges Prosecuted: Taylor’s office has prioritized the prosecution of drug distribution charges targeting trafficking networks;
665 Online Child Solicitation Charges Prosecuted: Taylor has prioritized protecting children, prosecuting 665 online child solicitation charges.
Taylor’s endorsements span current and former sheriffs, prosecutors, and public safety professionals across the Commonwealth. Her campaign has made public safety a central pillar, drawing on her record as one of Virginia’s most experienced and effective prosecutors.
Shannon Taylor’s law enforcement endorsements include:
Joseph P. Baron, Norfolk Sheriff
James E. Brown III, Charlottesville Sheriff
Sean Casey, Alexandria Sheriff
Vanessa R. Crawford, Petersburg Sheriff
Jayson T. Crawley, Charles City Sheriff
Ernest L. Giles, Sr., Sussex Sheriff
Alisa A. Gregory, Henrico County Sheriff
Robert Jones, Nottoway County Sheriff
Michael Moore, Portsmouth Sheriff
Gabriel A. Morgan, Newport News Sheriff
William E. Sales, Winchester Sheriff
Carlos Turner, Surry County Sheriff
Josh A. Wyche Sr., Southampton Sheriff
Megan L. Clark, Prince Edward County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Roy F. Evans, Smyth County Former Commonwealth’s Attorney
Matthew R. Hamel, Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney
Jim M. Hingeley, Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Libby K. Humphries, Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney
Stephanie N. Morales, Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney
Joseph D. Platania, Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney
Bryan L. Porter, Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney
Regina Sykes, Sussex County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Mark Herring, Former Attorney General of Virginia
Mary Sue Terry, Former Attorney General of Virginia
Robert “Bobby” Mathieson, Former U.S. Marshal
ABOUT SHANNON:
Shannon Taylor is a battle-tested prosecutor with 25 years of experience and a 90% conviction rate in homicide cases, taking on the toughest threats to Virginia families and delivering justice. A native of Charlottesville and graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond Law School, she began her career as a prosecutor in Richmond before serving as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office. In 2011, she flipped the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office from Republican to Democrat, becoming the first woman elected to the role. She has since been re-elected three times, proving she knows how to win tough races.
As Commonwealth’s Attorney, Taylor has pioneered programs to support victims of human trafficking, created a task force to tackle the opioid epidemic, and led prosecutors statewide in pledging not to criminalize women or doctors for abortion care. She has worked alongside law enforcement to keep families safe, fought fraud that harms working people, and partnered with gun safety advocates to take illegal guns off the streets.
Shannon Taylor has built her career on protecting Virginians and delivering justice for families regardless of their politics.
For more on Shannon Taylor’s campaign, visit ShannonTaylorVA.com.
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