Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, is safe after the Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect Thursday accused of sending a politically motivated death threat to her campaign. (Photo courtesy of Kim Taylor)
The Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect Thursday in connection with a politically motivated death threat made against Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg.
Maj. William Knott of the sheriff’s office confirmed the arrest to The Mercury. Authorities did not immediately release the suspect’s name or details about possible charges.
Taylor’s campaign said the threat was sent earlier in the day by text message.
“Earlier today, Delegate Kim Taylor received a politically motivated death threat by text message to her campaign. Our campaign takes every threat seriously and this was no exception. Thanks to the Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement partners, the individual responsible is already in custody,” campaign spokesperson Jacklyn Washington said in a statement.
“Delegate Taylor is safe and doing well,” Washington added. “She is grateful for the decisive action of law enforcement and remains focused on serving her constituents. No threat will distract her from the work she was elected to do.”
Taylor, a Republican delegate since 2022, represents the 82nd District, which covers parts of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George counties, along with the city of Petersburg and parts of Hopewell.
She won her seat in a 2021 upset against then Del. Lashrecse Aird, a Democrat, a victory that helped Republicans regain control of the House of Delegates. She was narrowly re-elected in 2023 after a recount confirmed her 53-vote edge over Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams.
Earlier this year, Taylor drew attention as one of five Republican delegates who joined Democrats in supporting legislation to safeguard same-sex marriage in Virginia.
Away from politics, Taylor is a small business owner who operates car repair shops with her husband, Butch, employing about 30 people. On her campaign website, she highlights her work on school safety legislation, efforts to support victims of human trafficking, and votes for broad tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks.
Law enforcement officials said the investigation into the threat remains ongoing.