Arrest made after Republican Virginia delegate receives ‘politically motivated death threat’

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A person was arrested after sending a "politically motivated death threat" to Del. Kim Taylor (R-Dinwiddie), her campaign said.

At about 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, a spokesperson for Taylor issued a statement on Facebook about a death threat the delegate received over text. It read, in part:

"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 swift response of the Dinwiddie Sheriff's [Office] and law enforcement partners, the individual responsible is already in custody."

The spokesperson added that Taylor is safe and well.

"She is grateful for the decisive action of law enforcement and remains focused on serving her constituents," the spokesperson said. "No threat will distract her from the work she was elected to do."

8News reached out to the Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office for more information. Major W. B. Knott said the office is working on a press release, and an update will be provided when possible.

No further details on this incident are available as of the time of reporting.

Taylor has represented Virginia's 82nd District in the House of Delegates -- which includes parts of Dinwiddie and Prince George counties, Surry County and the City of Petersburg -- since 2022.

During the upcoming 2025 General Election in November, voters in this district will get to decide if they'd like to re-elect Taylor or give Kimberly Pope Adams, her Democratic opponent, the seat.

Shortly after Taylor's campaign came out about this incident, Adams posted the following statement on X:

"Threats and violence have no place in our politics or our communities. I have personally reached out to Delegate Taylor, and I’m grateful she and her family are safe and that the suspect is in custody thanks to the swift work of the Dinwiddie Sheriff’s [Office.] We’re stronger when we stand together against hate and fear."

District 82 is one of 10 districts the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) has classified as competitive -- meaning it does not display a significant lean towards either Democratic or Republican candidates.