Kim Taylor, a Virginia representative known for her surprising win in a heavily Democratic district, received a serious death threat on Thursday. The Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office acted quickly, apprehending a suspect who allegedly sent threatening messages to her campaign team.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Michael Ray Stromeyer from DeWitt, Virginia, was taken into custody by Thursday evening and is being held at the Maelin River Correctional Facility near South Hill.
This alarming threat against Taylor’s life comes amid rising political violence, including recent incidents involving politically motivated attacks.
“I’m safe and doing well,” Taylor remarked later on Thursday, expressing gratitude for the swift response from law enforcement. Her campaign spokesperson, Jacklyn Washington, emphasized that no threats would deter Taylor from her work.
Washington pointed out that the campaign treats every threat seriously, noting that this particular one seemed to stem from some Republican criticism towards Taylor, where the suspect claimed she was “smashing the country.”
Leaders from both political parties in Virginia condemned this act of violence. “Political violence is never the solution. We appreciate our law enforcement for their quick response in supporting Kim Taylor,” stated GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsam Earl Sears.
Democratic candidate and former Congressman Abigail Spanberger expressed her distress upon hearing about the threat, stating, “It’s concerning, but it’s reassuring that the suspect is in custody. We are thankful for the prompt action by local law enforcement.”
Kim Taylor, who owns an auto body shop, shocked many when she narrowly defeated incumbent Sen. D-Petersburg’s Lashrecse Aird in 2021 and was re-elected in 2023 by an even closer margin. Now, she’s preparing for her next reelection campaign in a predominantly blue area located south of Richmond and north of North Carolina.
Throughout her time in office, Taylor has been recognized for her bipartisan efforts, notably advocating for measures to combat human trafficking and supporting same-sex marriage legislation.
