Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor to seek Virginia attorney general's seat
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Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor Wednesday announced that she will seek the Democratic Party's nomination for the office of Virginia attorney general in next June's primary election.
Taylor, who has served her role in Henrico since 2012, had considered launching in 2020 a campaign for the state office but ultimately opted to remain in the county after two-term Democratic incumbent Attorney General Mark Herring somewhat surprisingly opted not to run for governor and instead seek a third term. Herring lost that attempt to Republican Jason Miyares, the current attorney general.
Miyares's plans are unknown; he is rumored to be weighing a potential run for governor but may instead opt to seek re-election to his current role. Virginia voters will vote for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general in the November 2025 general election.
In a statement announcing her intentions, Taylor – long considered the de facto leader of the Henrico Democratic Party – championed her efforts to advance racial justice, strengthen hate-crime laws and enhance stalker penalties, among others. Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned in 2022 the landmark Roe v. Wade decision (which had legalized abortion nationwide), Taylor announced that she would not prosecute women or medical providers for abortion care.
In 2021, she successfully prosecuted the self-avowed leader of the Virginia Ku Klux Klan after he tried to use his vehicle to run over pedestrians in Lakeside.
More recently, Taylor has been critical of Miyares' efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Virginia's law schools.
“When MAGA extremists push laws that punish women for making private healthcare decisions, women need to fight back," she said in a statement. "And when our extremist attorney general tries to deprive our friends and neighbors of their rights, we need to stand strong. I’m ready on Day One to take on and win these fights."
Taylor's election in 2011 was a surprising one, especially for a position that had been a stranglehold for the Republican Party and men. She became the first woman ever to hold the title of Henrico commonwealth's attorney and a rare Democrat to do so. (The position served as the springboard for the political career of former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore.)
