VA Sheriffs Pull Endorsement of Democratic AG Over ‘Defund’ Movement

Virginia attorney general Mark Herring (D.) wrongly touted the endorsement of two local sheriffs who instead backed Herring’s GOP opponent, citing the Democratic Party’s push to defund police.

Herring released an endorsement list Monday that included Smyth County sheriff Chip Shuler and Dickenson County sheriff Jeremy Fleming. In a Monday afternoon statement, Shuler said Herring’s endorsement list “erroneously listed my name,” adding that Herring “should know because I left the Democrat Party in the same way they left law enforcement.”

“I am now a proud member of the Republican Party because I see that they are the party that stands with and supports law enforcement,” Shuler said. “Let me be clear—in the race for Attorney General, not only will I be endorsing Republican Challenger Jason Miyares, but I will be casting my ballot for him in November.”

Herring deleted the initial endorsement announcement, releasing an updated list Monday night that removed Shuler but included Fleming. The Dickenson County sheriff responded by issuing a Tuesday statement endorsing Miyares and accusing Herring of abandoning law enforcement “over the past eight years.”

“As the extreme wings of the party degraded us and called for us to be disbanded and defunded, Mark Herring did nothing—he left us defenseless and unsupported,” Fleming said. “This is why despite my political affiliation with the Democrat Party, I am publicly endorsing Jason Miyares for Attorney General—NOT Mark Herring.”.. (Excerpts from Washington Free Beacon)