RICHMOND, VA – Scott Parkinson, a Trump sycophant and longtime employee of far-right Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced his candidacy today for U.S. Senate from Virginia. The seat is currently held by the exemplary public servant Senator Tim Kaine, who announced he’s running for reelection earlier this year.

Parkinson teed up his far-right GOP bonafides for a Republican primary that is shaping up to be a race to win the MAGA base. Parkinson is noted for railing against the Affordable Care Act, which brought healthcare coverage to more than one million Virginians, and for his support of an abortion ban in Virginia, while refusing to answer questions about whether or not he would permit exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Parkinson has also advocated for the defunding of K-12 public schools to support voucher programs, and has sowed doubt about the integrity of elections.

“Senator Tim Kaine has dedicated his life to public service. Even before he was first elected to Richmond City Council in 1994, Senator Kaine was already serving others, working with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He represents the best of the Commonwealth,” said Liam Watson, Press Secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

“Let there be no doubt: Mr. Parkinson is no Senator Kaine. As Senator Kaine continues to serve as a model Christian and public official, Mr. Parkinson, an ex-DeSantis staffer and Trump acolyte, has railed against the Affordable Care Act and Virginians’ right to choose. Virginians deserve better,” continued Watson.

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