Kimberly A. Taylor (born 1978) is an American politician serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 82nd district.[1] A member of the Republican Party, she defeated incumbent Democratic delegate Lashrecse Aird in the 2021 election. Taylor represents parts of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George counties, taking in the city of Petersburg and parts of Hopewell.[2]
Early life and education
Taylor was born in 1978 in Petersburg, Virginia. After graduating from high school, she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Career
Following her graduation, she worked with the Richmond Times-Dispatch in retail sales. Before entering politics, Taylor co-owned two automobile repair shops in Chesterfield and Moseley, along with her husband.[3]
Virginia House of Delegates
Taylor announced her candidacy for the 63rd district in January 2021, challenging Democratic incumbent Lashrecse Aird.[4] In the November 2021 general election, she narrowly defeated Aird in her bid for re-election by a margin of 512 votes in an upset.[5] Taylor's victory was the tipping point necessary for the Republican Party to regain majority control in the House of Delegates.[6][7] Taylor took office, along with the rest of the 162nd Virginia General Assembly, on January 12, 2022.[8]
In the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election, Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams called for a recount on December 5, 2023. In the recount, Taylor had 14,289 votes and Adams had 14,236. With a margin of 53 votes, Taylor was re-elected.[9]
In 2024, Taylor was one of five Republican delegates who voted with their Democratic colleagues in support of safeguarding same-sex marriage in Virginia.[10]
Personal life
Taylor is married to Andrew "Butch" Perry. They have one daughter and reside in Dinwiddie County.[3]
References
- ^ "Delegate Kimberly A. Taylor". Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "Who's My Legislator?". whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ a b "Kim Taylor". Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ McConnell, Jim (January 27, 2021). "Local businesswoman to run for House of Delegates". Chesterfield Observer. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "Nov. 2, 2021 General Election Statewide Candidates". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Atkinson, Bill (November 2, 2021). "Taylor, state GOP declares victory in 63rd House District race still too close to call". The Progress-Index. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Atkinson, Bill (November 4, 2021). "Aird concedes 63rd race to Taylor, vows to work for those 'on the peripheries of power'". The Progress-Index. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "With judges' ruling in recount, GOP cements two-seat majority in Virginia House of Delegates". www.msn.com. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ Blair, Tannock (December 20, 2023). "Taylor wins recount for Virginia's 82nd District race by 53 votes". ABC 8 News. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Atkinson, Bill (January 26, 2024). "Five Republicans join Democrats to block denial of same-sex marriage licenses". The Progress-Index. Gannett. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
Two of the four Republicans representing parts of the Tri-City area in the House of Delegates crossed the aisle Friday to join their Democratic colleagues in voting for a bill that would block marriage licenses from being denied to same-sex couples in the state. Dels. Carrie Coyner of Chesterfield County and Kim Taylor of Dinwiddie County were among five GOP legislators in the 54-40 vote to pass House Bill 174... Other Republicans joining with the Democrats on House Bill 174 were Robert Bloxom Jr. of Accomack County, Chad Green of York County, and David Owen of Goochland County.
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