As the daughter of a former law enforcement officer, Abigail knows the commitment and sacrifices that come with putting on the badge every day. As a Member of Congress, Abigail heard concerns directly from smaller police departments about ongoing hiring and retention challenges.
In Congress, Abigail prioritized making sure Virginia’s law enforcement officers have the training, tools, and resources they need to keep our Commonwealth’s communities safe. She led multiple efforts — working with both Democrats and Republicans — to help Virginia’s police departments pay for vetting, hiring, training, and benefits for more officers and first responders.
As a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer who worked narcotics cases and then tracked cartels, Abigail knows what it will take to keep Virginians safe from fentanyl. Abigail understands that the addiction and fentanyl crises are interconnected, and she believes that Virginia must build an all-hands-on-deck approach to both crack down on illicit drugs and help Virginians struggling with addiction.
As the next Governor of Virginia, Abigail will continue to work with community leaders, law enforcement officials, faith organizations, and healthcare professionals in Virginia to provide treatment, recovery, and wraparound services to everyone impacted by substance use disorders. Abigail also believes that to address these crises in Virginia’s communities, we must invest in the tools and training local law enforcement officers need to detect fentanyl quickly and safely do their jobs.
In Congress, both President Trump and President Biden signed into law bills Abigail led to combat drug trafficking and invest in border security technology to detect illicit drugs coming into our country. President Biden also signed into law Abigail’s bipartisan legislation — named for a Virginian who lost her life to a fentanyl overdose — to provide major investments in programs that focus on overdose prevention, first responder training, co-prescribing, and alternatives to opioids in emergency rooms.
While serving as a federal law enforcement officer, Abigail carried a gun every day. She understands the training and qualification requirements needed to responsibly carry a firearm.
Abigail also knows that far too many families have experienced a tragedy due to gun violence. In Congress, Abigail helped move the first comprehensive, bipartisan legislation in decades — which was signed into law — across the finish line to close background check loopholes, invest in mental health resources, and encourage more states to adopt red flag laws. She also voted to crack down on “ghost guns,” set federal standards for safe gun storage, raise the federal age to purchase certain assault-style rifles to 21, and prevent illegal gun trafficking.
As Governor, Abigail will support efforts to strengthen Virginia’s safe storage laws and keep firearms out of the hands of kids or those who pose a threat to themselves or others. Abigail also believes Virginia should move toward enacting a ban on the manufacturing, sale, and transfer of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines — actions that are proven to reduce mass shootings.