Bob McDonnell, the former governor of Virginia is endorsing one of his former administration’s staffers in Taylor Keeney as she runs for congress.
Keeney served as McDonnell’s press secretary during his time as governor in the early 2010s. Now she is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s seventh congressional district.
“Taylor has a servant’s heart and a unique understanding of the issues most important to people in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District,” McDonnell said in the announcement. McDonnell was convicted of corruption but that conviction was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.
“Taylor has long been dedicated to improving the lives of Virginians across the Seventh District and the Commonwealth,” McDonnell continued. “Look no further than her public service and nonprofit leadership for children and families as evidence of her commitment to her community. She will take that same problem solving experience and understanding of the policy challenges we face to bring conservative leadership that Central Virginia wants and needs.”
Republicans have made Spanberger’s seat a priority for the 2022 midterm elections. Spanberger won the seat in 2018 when she defeated former Congressman Dave Brat. Prior to Spanbergber’s victory, the seat was held but a Republican for more than 60 years.
The growing list of Republicans in the race already includes Tina Ramirez, who recently announced her candidacy; plus John Castorani and Guatam Barve who have both filed paperwork as well. Last year, Ramirez came in third for the VA-07 nomination that Del. Nick Freitas eventually earned, Castorani was a Republican candidate in Alabama’s first congressional district, and Barve appears to have been a city council candidate in Santa Clara, California.
Other potential candidates for the Republican nomination include state Del. John Mcguire (Goochland), state Senator Amanda Chase (Chesterfield), and state Senator Bryce Reeves (Spotsylvania).
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[…] VA-07: Former Gov. Bob McDonnell has endorsed communications consultant Taylor Keeney, who was his press secretary during his time in office […]