Ex-DeSantis staffer Parkinson runs for Kaine’s Virginia seat

Apr 3, 2023, 1:31 AM | Updated: 10:42 am

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Scott Parkinson, a former congressional staffer and adviser to Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia next year.

Parkinson, who works for the conservative economic policy group Club for Growth, told The Associated Press ahead of a formal announcement that frustration over pandemic-related school and business closures “changed his worldview” and pushed him to seek public office for the first time.

Parkinson said that Kaine, a fixture in Virginia politics known for his down-to-earth approach, is vulnerable because of his votes for key pieces of President Joe Biden’s agenda that have contributed to inflation now crushing the middle class.

“I think that there’s this perception that he’s a nice guy … and they don’t peel back the layers of the onion to see exactly how we got to where we are today,” Parkinson said. “And Tim Kaine has voted for all of it.”

Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential running mate in 2016, has been in public office for nearly three decades, serving as Richmond’s mayor and later as the state’s lieutenant governor and governor. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and handily defeated a far-right challenger in 2018.

So far, no Democratic opponent has emerged to challenge Kaine, who firmed up his plans to seek a third term in January after speculation he might retire.

Kaine’s decision to run eased his party’s worries about the possibility of an open seat. He will be seen as having an edge in the must-win race for Democrats Gov. Glenn Youngkin, in 2021.

Asked for comment, a Kaine spokeswoman referred to a statement the senator issued when he announced he was seeking re-election. In it, Kaine highlighted his work as a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, and he vowed to prioritize issues ranging from child care affordability to immigration reform, climate change, abortion rights, voting rights and national security.

Parkinson has spent more than 15 years working in Washington, D.C., including as a staffer for U.S. Sens. John Ensign, Ron Johnson and Marco Rubio and as executive director of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative House Caucus. He was chief of staff to then-U.S. Rep. DeSantis and then served as deputy executive director of the DeSantis gubernatorial transition team in Florida.

Parkinson’s array of Republican connections will help him raise the money and reach the voters necessary to compete in what’s shaping up to be a crowded field seeking the party’s nomination, he said.

Parkinson plans to campaign on a promise to cap the growth of government spending and reduce taxation. He voiced support for doubling down on Trump-era tax cuts and rolling back government regulations “stifling American opportunity.”

“I’m terrified about what the future of the American economy looks like for my kids,” Parkinson said. “And so that will be a big, big element of our campaign, when we create a movement to rescue the middle class.”

Parkinson described himself as pro-life but declined to directly answer a question about what limits on abortion rights he thinks are most appropriate, including whether he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother.

Asked if he believes the 2020 presidential election was free and fair, he expressed concerns about the accuracy of voter rolls. Parkinson said he would not describe the election as being stolen, as Trump falsely has, but believes there are “legitimate concerns” around the country about election integrity.

Parkinson, 40, is vice president of government affairs for the Washington-based Club for Growth, an influential conservative group advocating for lower taxes, limited government, school choice and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

He lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife and four children.

___

This story has been updated to remove an incorrect reference in a quote to Kaine playing the banjo.

United States News

Associated Press

San Francisco police: 9 victims hit but no deaths in Mission District mass shooting

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Multiple victims were struck by bullets during a mass shooting in San Francisco’s Mission District Friday night, but authorities said there were no fatalities. “We can confirm there are 9 shooting victims — all are expected to survive their injuries,” the San Francisco Police Department said in a tweet. Police said […]

2 hours ago

Seen is the damage from a collapsed apartment building, Monday, June 5, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. T...

Associated Press

Cracked floors, bowed walls: Many warnings but no action at Iowa building before deadly collapse

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — So many people knew something wasn’t right at the 116-year-old Davenport apartment building. The structural engineer who documented the shaky wall. The head of a masonry company who wouldn’t let his workers onto the site. The city inspector who threatened to close some units. A downtown official who called 911 […]

1 day ago

One of several cameras set up to capture live debate in the chamber of the Nebraska Legislature is ...

Associated Press

Nebraska Legislature as reality TV, featuring filibuster and culture war drama

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mention televised legislative debates, and what may come to mind are stuffy, policy-wonk discussions broadcast by C-SPAN. This year’s Nebraska Legislature was more like a reality TV show, with culture-war rhetoric, open hostility among lawmakers, name-calling, yelling and more. Many Nebraskans couldn’t get enough of it. “It was addictive,” said Jamie […]

1 day ago

Drag performer Neon Calypso, center, sings and dances to Tina Turner's version of the song "Proud M...

Associated Press

Pride is back in Boston as parade returns after quarrel over inclusivity

BOSTON (AP) — The biggest Pride parade in New England returns to Boston after a three-year hiatus Saturday, with a fresh focus on social justice and inclusion rather than corporate backing. About 10,000 marchers signed up before registration was shut down, according to organizers. Employee groups are welcome to march, but corporations aren’t. “We really […]

1 day ago

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., leaves his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday,...

Associated Press

Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress leap into action on charges after months of preparation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents is set to play out in a federal court in Florida. But hundred of miles away, part of Trump’s defense is well underway in a different venue — the halls of Congress, where Republicans have been preparing for months to wage […]

1 day ago

FILE - Sen. Rodger Smitherman compares U.S. Representative district maps during the special session...

Associated Press

New voting districts could change again in some states before the 2024 elections

The 2022 elections marked the first using new voting districts drawn from updated census data. Those districts typically last for a decade, but they could be short-lived in some states. Court challenges could force lawmakers or special commissions to draw yet another set of maps before the 2024 elections for representatives in Congress and state […]

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

re:vitalize

Why drug-free weight loss still matters

Wanting to lose weight is a common goal for many people as they progress throughout life, but choosing between a holistic approach or to take medicine can be a tough decision.

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

How to identify the symptoms of 3 common anxiety disorders

Living with an anxiety disorder can be debilitating and cause significant stress for those who suffer from the condition.

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

Ex-DeSantis staffer Parkinson runs for Kaine’s Virginia seat