U.S. Representative Van Taylor (R) made the stunning announcement Wednesday that he would end his reelection campaign. Taylor, who is married with three children, admitted to last-minute allegations of an extramarital affair.
“About a year ago, I made a horrible mistake that has caused deep hurt and pain among those I love most in this world,” Taylor wrote in an email to supporters. “I had an affair; it was wrong, and it was the greatest failure of my life. I want to apologize for the pain I have caused with my indiscretion, most of all to my wife Anne and our three daughters.”
Taylor’s announcement came just hours after he had secured his spot in the Republican runoff for the 3rd Congressional District, which consists of a majority of Collin County and parts of Hunt County. Taylor was the incumbent, having served as the 3rd District’s U.S. Congressman since 2019.
Before that, Taylor served in the Texas Legislature from 2010 to 2019. He is also a military veteran who served during the war in Iraq.
Taylor received just under 49% of the vote, narrowly below the 50% threshold that would have given him the primary win outright. Now that Taylor is dropping out of the race, the second-place finisher, Keith Self, who received just under 27% of the vote, will be the Republican candidate in November’s general election. Self was formerly the Collin County Judge for three terms.
“I have let down so many other family members, friends, colleagues, supporters, and the people of the 3rd Congressional District whom I have had the great honor and privilege to represent. I am truly sorry, and I hope in time I can earn their forgiveness,” Taylor continued in the statement. “I have talked with Keith Self to let him know of my decision, and I wish him the best as he seeks to become the next congressman for this district.”
In a social media post hours before Taylor announced he was dropping out, Self alluded to the scandal.
“I hope to earn your trust as we move towards our common goal of restoring integrity to Congressional District 3,” Self tweeted. “I want you to know that there is a place for you at our table.”
News of Taylor’s affair surfaced just days before the March 1 primary. The conservative news outlets, National File and Breitbart, were first to reveal the allegations.
Breitbart reported that Taylor had an affair with Plano woman Tania Joya, who said he paid her $5,000 to keep quiet. The affair allegedly lasted from November 2020 to June 2021.
National File included audio of a 35-minute interview with Joya where she revealed several salacious details of the affair. National File also revealed a screenshot of a text message that Joya reportedly received from Taylor of explicit sexual nature.
Joya told Breitbart that she first met Taylor in August of 2019 when she was looking to get involved with the Preventing Violent Extremism program in the Plano school district. Joya said she believed that the congressman might have connections to help her get involved.
Taylor was one of the thirty-five Republicans who voted to create the House Committee investigating the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, which his opponents in the primary made their central point of attack against him.
Former President Donald Trump did not endorse anyone in the race, but Senator Ted Cruz did give Taylor his endorsement. Taylor ran ads saying he was aligned with Trump’s “America First” messaging.
Taylor’s campaign website describes him as “Family Man. Businessman. United States Marine.” The website features a video of him and his wife Anne walking, smiling, and holding hands. A wedding photo is also displayed, with Taylor dressed in a Marine uniform.
Self, the new Republican nominee, is likely to be the next U.S. Congressman for the 3rd District.
He will face Democrat Sandeep Srivastava, who won his primary outright in November’s general election. However, the district was redrawn in the latest redistricting session, making it a safe district for Republicans.
