Freshman GOP delegate challenged by first-time candidate in 'toss-up' 82nd House race
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PETERSBURG – It is being touted as one of the most competitive races of the House of Delegates election season. A freshman Republican incumbent who was successful in wresting the area from the hands of the Democrats two years ago is now trying to keep the district in the GOP column against a first-time candidate behind whom Democrats have thrown a lot of political and financial support.
To top that off, the district that Kim Taylor is defending against Kimberly Pope Adams is a far different district than the one she took away from Lashrecse Aird in 2021.
Pretend that the former 63rd District, with Petersburg as both its geographic and political center, is a ball of batter. When the Virginia Supreme Court redistricted Virginia in 2022, they essentially stomped that ball into a flat 70 mile-wide pancake that stretches from Dinwiddie Court House to Hog Island in Surry County, picking up all of Petersburg and most of Prince George County with it.
In doing so, the court added some additional Republican seasoning to it. According to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project, the voting core went from a Democratic leaning of more than 55% six years ago to a whisker-thin margin of 50.5% Democrat to 49.4% GOP. Petersburg contributes most of the Democratic base and is bolstered by a slim Democratic lean in Surry, but that base is more offset by the conservative blocs in Dinwiddie and Prince George counties than in previous elections.
In 2017, Democrat Ralph Northam beat Republican Ed Gillespie with 56% of the district vote en route to winning the Virginia governorship. However, four years later in 2021, Republican Glenn Youngkin narrowly carried the district over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in his successful gubernatorial bid.
Therefore, VPAP and other political-watchers have rated the Taylor-Adams contest as a toss-up.
The 82nd outcome could also go a long way toward determining party control in the House. Right now, Republicans hold a 48-46 advantage over Democrats, but there are six open seats among the contested races. That makes the battle for control ever more important.
Who are the 82nd candidates?
Taylor, 45, stunned the Virginia political scene two years ago when she defeated longtime Democratic Del. Lashrecse Aird as part of the GOP wave that swept the state’s top three offices and gave control to the Republicans. She and her husband, Butch, live in Dinwiddie and own two automotive repair businesses in Chesterfield County.
In Richmond, Taylor has been a reliable supporter of the House conservative agenda, including a new natural gas "hub" in Chesterfield to meet peak-time requirements, but she reached across the aisle to join Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey in the unsuccessful effort to bring a casino to Petersburg after it was initially rejected by Richmond voters.
Adams, 40, lives in Dinwiddie County but was born and raised in Hopewell. She is a certified public accountant and an auditor who works at Virginia State University.
A single mother, Adams has made no secret on the campaign path of her personal struggles. In an op-ed for The Progress-Index in early October, she outlined how a miscarriage and its after-effects shaped her support for women’s reproductive rights in Virginia.
Both candidates have battled it out on the campaign-advertising trail, investing heavily in attack ads that have painted Taylor as ultra-right wing for supporting MAGA’s agenda and Adams as ultra-left wing for supporting progressive movements toward pro-abortion and police defunding.
Fundraising is almost equal, with Adams holding a slight lead over Taylor in dollars raised, $1.67 million to $1.57 million. Taylor, though, has spent more money on advertising, $1.27 million to $1.02 million, VPAP reports.
Five questions we asked them
As part of its ongoing campaign coverage, The Progress-Index emailed the Taylor and Adams camps five questions. Below are their responses, with the candidates listed in alphabetical order:
It's a whole new district with a whole new population demographic and a whole new political diversity, the latter of which plays to your individual political strengths. What do you see as the key factor or factors to "win over" those voters who either traditionally vote against your party or may be on the fence about your candidacy?
Adams: While extreme politicians play up our differences to keep us apart, my campaign is about bringing people together. No matter where you live, how much money you have, or what party you’re a member of—we all want the same things. We want a good-paying job to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. We want our children to get a good education. We want to be able to leave our homes without fear of gun violence. We want a government without corruption, and representatives who are on our side. This is and always has been my community, and I care deeply about its future.
Taylor: Being visible and present in any community is how I’ve always carried myself, first as a candidate and now as a Delegate. I am present and active in our communities from Petersburg to Dinwiddie and everywhere in between. I have worked hard to secure millions of dollars in funding and resources for projects throughout the 82nd District, and I will continue to work hard and deliver results for all of our District. Voters want a workhorse who will deliver results for them in Richmond.
The phrase "bodily autonomy" has entered the lexicon as Virginia continues to contemplate the future of reproductive rights. In your opinion, how important is this issue to 82nd District voters? Does it stand out on its own, fall into the general category of "kitchen-table issues" or fall behind those so-called kitchen-table issues?
Adams: This election is different from any other, for one glaring reason: Abortion is on the ballot. People are scared. Scared that extremists are going to take away their fundamental rights. Scared that their daughters will have fewer rights than they did. Scared that we are moving backwards. My opponent wants doctors who provide abortions, and women who get them, to be sent to prison. That is how she has voted.
Taylor: As I go around the District and talk to voters, they’re always asking about inflation and our economy – it’s no secret that our economy is failing hardworking Virginians. Families are worried about the cost of gas prices and groceries; eggs at one point cost $10 a carton this year. These are the issues that voters in the 82nd are concerned about, and they are the issues that we need to address in Richmond.
We all know that while the casino in Petersburg is all but officially deceased, the final nail in its coffin will not be hammered in until after Richmond's referendum in November. Should that referendum fail, how much would you be willing to commit yourself now to championing Petersburg as the fifth host city for that casino? What different approach would you take to the one previously tried and failed?
Adams: It’s clear that the people of Petersburg want to decide for themselves whether a casino is the desired economic development for our community. I will fight for a ballot referendum to give Petersburg the opportunity to choose for themselves, but the local government plays a critical role in this process. As an auditor, it is extremely important to me that local governments be transparent in their procurement process and select companies that will prioritize workers over profit. My opponent’s previous legislation failed. The legislation that I propose will be the result of collaboration and community involvement, strengthened by my experience as an accountant and auditor.
Taylor: The casino would bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of commerce and investment to Petersburg and the surrounding communities. It doesn’t make sense to oppose it! If we want to revitalize Petersburg, bring grocery stores and combat food insecurity, fix our crumbling infrastructure, and provide good-paying jobs with room for growth, this is a fantastic first step.
What is your take on the "Partnership for Petersburg?" Republicans seem to be embracing it more than Democrats, while Democrats are saying it's basically rehashed initiatives pushed by previous Democratic lawmakers such as the late Donald McEachin. As the next representative of the Petersburg area, you likely will be in the position to help shepherd the initiatives to the city when Gov. Youngkin leaves office. How active of a role would you take in the initiative between now and that time, or do you sort of cheer from the sidelines and allow the city (council, city administration and the community) and the governor's office do most of the heavy lifting?
Adams: My campaign is fortunate enough to operate out of the Petersburg law office of the late Congressman McEachin, and I have a deep understanding of his commitment to this district. The federal funding Congressman McEachin secured through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the foundation for what Governor Youngkin is now rebranding as “Partnership for Petersburg” initiatives. As responsibility for these initiatives transitions to Petersburg, my role in the interim will be to continue engaging with our community to ensure this “partnership” is transparent and has our best interest in mind.
Taylor: We frequently meet to discuss the Partnership. I am focused on bringing businesses and good-paying jobs back to Petersburg and investing in the city’s infrastructure. Petersburg needs a renaissance. Lawmakers made empty promises for decades. I got to work, and in just 2 years, I got funding to tear down the Ramada Inn and secured $30 million for fixing the failing water system infrastructure. From day 1, I have prioritized the needs of Petersburg and have been a vocal advocate for the growth and revitalization of the city.
What makes you the best candidate for the job you seek? What do you do to earn the trust of those who will vote against you in the election?
Adams: Having grown up in this community, I see people like me everywhere I go. But I haven’t seen people like me in the House of Delegates. That has to change. I’ve always been proud of my community and knocking on doors every day and being out in the district has made me even prouder. But I’ve also been reminded of how much more work we have to do and how people feel like they’re being left behind. I’m running to represent all of the people I’ve met and who told me I’m the first candidate who’s taken the time to speak with them. I’m running because I know my community, and I know we can do better. If you elect me as your next Delegate, I will carry your voice to Richmond. I will be on the side of working families in our district. I will fight every day for your freedoms.
Taylor: What makes me the best candidate and how I earn trust in our community is by doing what I’ve always done: making sure everyone has a seat at the table and that every voice is heard. From being a mother to being a business leader, reaching consensus is something I have had many years of experience doing. For far too long, we’ve been ignored by career politicians who have made empty promises. I can’t wait to build on the progress I’ve already made in just 2 years, and I will continue to be a leader in Richmond and deliver consistent results for our District.
More: Former delegate squares off with first-time candidate in state Senate race
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Taylor battles Adams in 82nd House District race
