Virginia Democratic candidate denounces sharing of sex tapes: ‘It won’t intimidate me’

A Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday denounced the “illegal invasion” of her privacy after videos surfaced showing that she and her husband performed sex acts on live video.

Candidate Susanna Gibson told The Associated Press and other outlets that sharing the videos is “the worst gutter politics” and “an illegal invasion of my privacy designed to humiliate me and my family.”

“It won’t intimidate me and it won’t silence me,” Gibson said.

The Democrat is up against Republican David Owen for the Virginia House seat representing Richmond in a competitive race key to control of the state chamber. Gibson won the Democratic primary this summer.

The Washington Post first reported on the undated pornographic videos. According to that report, Gibson and her husband asked viewers to pay for the performance of certain sex acts, and the footage was archived on other websites before an unnamed Republican operative flagged them to the outlet.

Gibson’s statement to media gives no indication she plans to step back from the key Old Dominion State race, but the new revelations could complicate her candidacy.

“My political opponents and their Republican allies have proven they’re willing to commit a sex crime to attack me and my family because there’s no line they won’t cross to silence women when they speak up,” Gibson told the AP.

Owen, the Republican candidate, told CNN that he found out about the controversial videos after the Washington Post story. “I’m sure this is a difficult time for Susanna and her family, and I’m remaining focused on my campaign,” Owen said.

The Associated Press contributed.

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