Former U.S. Representative for Virginia’s Second Congressional District Scott Taylor is considering a run for his old seat.
In an email, Taylor stated that he is considering running for VA-2. He also shared the results of poll which showed significant support for him in a Republican primary.
I don’t know what I’m doing, but I do know we need a change in the new 2nd Congressional District leadership and around the country.
I care deeply about the direction of this nation and the people who live in it. I always think about how my mother and families like ours would be doing in any given political environment.
There is no question, with inflation she would be and others are struggling to put food on the table, pay the bills, and make sure their kids get the education needed to succeed.
Many people have reached out to me over the last couple months. A snapshot poll, asking a simple question of ballot support was done to all primary voter cell phones (you may have received a text). Below are the results.
I’m humbled by the support and you have my serious consideration in making a decision that is best for my country, my family, and myself.
The poll was an AP2 (app-to-person) SMS texting poll sent out to 67,344 Republican primary voters. There were 1,259 total responses. The poll asked “Who would you support in the upcoming Republican primary for the VA 2nd District?” Taylor, former Navy helicopter pilot and current State Senator Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach-SD7), retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Jerome Bell, Navy veteran and Bronze Star recipient Andy Baan, and Air Force veteran Tommy Altman were the options given.
Taylor’s email said that out of those 1,259 responses, 656, or 52.1%, picked him. It also reported that 418, or 33.2%, selected Kiggans. 115, or 9.1%, selected Bell, while 58, or 4.6%, selected Altman. Twelve, or less than 1%, selected Baan.
The email does not state who conducted the poll, or the exact methodology used to determine the participants.
A former Navy SEAL, Taylor represented VA-2 from 2017-2019. He lost to incumbent U.S. Representative Elaine Luria (D-Virginia-2) in 2018 and 2020, 51.05% to 48.81% and 51.55% to 45.81%, respectively. In 2020, Luria outspent Taylor by a more than 2.5-to-one ratio, spending $6,556,704 to his $2,461,134.
In 2016, Taylor won the Republican primary with 53% of the vote, defeating two opponents. He defeated Democrat Shaun Brown in the general election 61.3%-38.4%. In 2018, Taylor achieved 76% in the Republican primary. Taylor defeated Ben Loyola and Jarome Bell in a three-way primary in 2020, netting 48.52% of the vote.
Federal Election Commission records show that Representative Luria currently has raised nearly $3 million, with north of $2.3 million cash on hand. Senator Kiggans has raised over $660,000 for this seat and has over $342,000 on hand. Altman has raised over $145,000 and has slightly over $53,000 on hand. Bell has raised over $325,000 and has $16,000 on hand. Baan has raised a total of $17,080, with just under $7,500 on hand.
According to VPAP.org, “On Dec. 28, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued an order setting House, Senate and congressional maps for the next decade.” The new VA-2 contains all of Virginia Beach, Suffolk, the city of Franklin, Accomack, Northampton, Isle of Wight, and portions of Chesapeake and Southampton.
RollCall is reporting that Virginia’s Second Congressional District is on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s targeted race list. The Cook Political Report rates the race a tossup and the district itself as an R+3. Prior to redistricting, VA-2 was rated R+1.
The 2nd District Republican primary will take place on June 21, 2022.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
