Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2017. He left office on January 3, 2019.

Taylor (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Taylor (Republican Party) also ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Virginia. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on June 23, 2020.

Taylor is a former Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 85 from 2014 to 2017.

Scott Taylor did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Taylor's campaign website stated the following:

Scott was raised by his mother, a single parent, in a small town on the Eastern Shore.

School, athletics, and early employment taught Taylor responsibility and strong work ethic — but most influential in building his character was his impactful mentorship from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Scott began working on a farm at 11 years old and soon after was introduced to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program of America. His Big Brother changed Scott’s life and helped set Scott on a path to success. An accomplished wrestler in high school, after graduation Scott wanted to serve his country so he joined the Navy with the goal of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL.

Through these positive influences, Taylor overcame the considerable odds against him to become a Navy SEAL. After completing the six-month BUD/S training course in Coronado, California, Scott was assigned to SEAL Team 4 and served in the United States and Latin America, where he learned a fluency in Spanish.

After 9/11, Taylor re-enlisted in the Navy. In 2005, Scott was sent to Baghdad/Ramadi as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Scott served as a Navy SEAL sniper. Scott was severely injured while on a combat mission and was Medevac’d out of Iraq to Germany, then eventually back to the States. He finished out his enlistment as a marksmanship and reconnaissance instructor.

When Taylor returned stateside, he became a successful real estate developer, security consultant, and used the G.I. bill to receive his education. Scott used his G.I. Bill education benefits to earn holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in International Relations from Harvard University. He holds a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting at Old Dominion University. As a security consultant, Scott would travel back and forth to Yemen over four years. There he protected critical infrastructure, American citizens, and negotiated on a regular basis with armed tribesman in the Arabian desert.

Taylor again felt called to serve. In 2013, Scott won a hotly contested Republican primary and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, representing families in the 85th District located in Virginia Beach. His legislative accomplishments included laws dealing with energy, workforce and veterans issues.

Scott was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s 2nd district in January of 2017 and became the first freshman member from Virginia to ever be appointed to the Appropriations Committee for a full term. He also served on the Homeland Security, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch subcommittees. His legislative accomplishments included a law to bring accountability at the most senior levels to the department of Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ashanti Alert Act, a national alert for missing adults. He was instrumental in securing hundreds of millions of dollars for his district and state for military construction and infrastructure projects. further, his appropriations amendments helping to protect military base access roads from flooding and/or sea level rise and his amendment to allow inter-agency cooperation on public-private partnerships at rural military installations were signed into law.

Taylor has been looked to as a leader by his peers and the media for his domestic and foreign policy knowledge. He resides in Virginia Beach.

Taylor is currently campaigning to secure Virginia's Second Congressional District seat. Incumbent Luria campaigns as a moderate, while her record exposes her radical agenda. The preservation of American values is at stake, and the people of Hampton Roads deserve transparent leadership and effective constituent advocacy.[46][47]

Campaign website

Taylor's campaign website stated the following:

I am so deeply honored and humbled to serve as your representative to the US House of Representatives. Every time I walk onto the floor of the House I am instantly reminded of the great responsibility my colleagues and I have to get our country headed in the right direction again.

In January 2017, I was selected to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution states, in part, “No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.” The Committee, together with the Senate Appropriations Committee, develops the spending plan for the US government. This is an incredible responsibility which I take very seriously.

As I travel through our amazing congressional district I am constantly reminded of the many diverse communities in our district. I am always happy to meet new people, listen to their concerns and keep those concerns in mind as I represent the almost 750,000 people who live in our district.

We have many accomplishments in the time that I have served as your Representative:

We have invested substantially in rebuilding and modernizing our armed forces – this improves our military readiness, provides more funds for training and maintenance and creates many new jobs in our district

We are improving veterans’ health care; although the VA has more to do to tackle long wait times for appointments

We passed historic tax reforms to cut personal and business income taxes which has enabled families in our district to keep more of their hard-earned money and companies are investing in their employees and their future

We have repealed numerous overly-burdensome federal regulations to unleash America’s business community and we are putting an end to the wage stagnation that has plagued our country for 20 years – people are finally making more money

We are working to replace Obamacare with a health care insurance system that improves affordability, accessibility and quality of care; importantly, any plan I support must include a health insurance plan for those with pre-existing conditions

We are working to ensure that our trade deals are fair to American workers; the economic devastation realized across too much of America because of bad trade deals has to be reversed.

During the time that I have served in public office I have done my very best to serve and represent everyone – no matter whether you’re white, black or brown, civilian or military – Everyone! I passionately believe that every American must have the opportunity to succeed and be heard.[47]

—Scott Taylor for Congress[48]

The following issues were listed on Taylor's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

The Constitution: The Constitution of the United States is one of the greatest documents ever devised by man. When joining the Navy and when re-enlisting, Scott Taylor pledged to defend the Constitution of the United States and he will vigorously defend the Constitution as our Member of Congress.

The First Amendment: The freedom of religion, free speech, the press, the ability to petition our government and to peaceably assemble are bedrock freedoms critical to preserving our democracy. Scott believes these freedoms should be viewed as broadly as possible and not be diminished by federal law or the Supreme Court.

The Second Amendment: With an A rating from the NRA, Scott Taylor has a record of strongly supporting the 2nd Amendment. The Heller and McDonald Supreme Court decisions are landmark cases that state that the Second Amendment to the Constitution includes an individual’s right to bear arms. Scott’s story and his views on firearms was recently the subject of a Soldier of Fortune cover story. Scott will oppose legislation that diminishes the rights of Americans protected by the Second Amendment.

Tenth Amendment – States Rights: The federal government is much too big and has usurped the powers reserved to the States. From environmental laws to healthcare, Congress has systematically attempted to erase and ignore the sovereignty of the states. Scott will work to tip the scales back to the States – the laboratories of democracy – where Americans have much more of an ability to control their own destiny.

Congress: We can’t fix Congress unless we fix how Congress works. The truth is; Congress doesn’t work. This year Congress will be in session only 111 days. They are taking 8 consecutive weeks off this summer and will not work a single day in October. That’s pathetic. Congress can’t solve the problems plaguing our nation if they take more than 2 out of every 3 days this year off of work.

[47]

—Scott Taylor's campaign website, http://scotttaylor.us/issues/

Taylor's website highlighted the following campaign issues:[49]

Committed to Freedom

Excerpt: "As Chairman of Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, he fought against dangerous national security leaks in the Obama Administration."

School Safety

Excerpt: "Our state must lead by creating easily understood, minimum standards for safety at every school, with clear and rehearsed lockdown plans, clear communication, and effective partnerships between school staff and first responders."

Smaller Government

Excerpt: "Raised by a single mother, working on a farm and paying taxes at age 11, and being blessed with an excellent mentor, all contributed to Scott’s understanding of conservative principals. Scott understands how taking more money from struggling families hurts their quality of life."

Second Amendment

Excerpt: "Scott Taylor understands that Second Amendment rights are about individual self-defense. More gun laws hurt your ability to defend yourself against a criminal who has decided to ignore the law anyway."

Education

Excerpt: "Scott Taylor believes Kempsville schools are among the best, and Scott knows today’s learning leads to tomorrow’s jobs. Scott’s extensive military training, Master’s certificate from Old Dominion University and current work toward an ALB International Relations degree from Harvard University shows his commitment to learning."