Brace yourself for a chilling glimpse into political tensions as a Virginia legislator faces a direct threat while engaging with voters.
Del. A.C. Cordoza, R-Poquoson, the only Black Republican in the Virginia legislature, obtained a protective order, signed on Tuesday prior to Oct. 24, 2025, by Magistrate Judge Gregory Kaliris, against a Democratic staffer who allegedly threatened to "put a knot" on his head during a voter interaction at the registrar’s office, an incident reported by Charles Creitz for Fox News on Oct. 24, 2025, which Cordoza cites as evidence of escalating political hostility.
Representing Poquoson and parts of Hampton, Va., Cordoza described the alarming encounter that unfolded while he was speaking with a voter. The protective order details how Ms. Sanders, the staffer, approached him, demanded he “back off” as he walked away, and issued a stark warning: “This is the last time I’m going to tell you” before threatening physical harm.
Cordoza didn’t hesitate to address the seriousness of the situation. “I was engaging with voters at the poll, talking about my record, and one of my opponent’s campaign workers got upset and decided it was a great idea to threaten me — and in today’s climate, with political violence becoming common, I wasn’t going to take any chances,” he stated.
Yet, conservatives might wonder if this is another sign of a progressive agenda pushing discourse into dangerous territory. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, there’s been a call for law and order—shouldn’t that extend to protecting elected officials from such brazen intimidation?
Following the threat, Cordoza reached out to Hampton police, who conducted an investigation and recommended he pursue a protection order. Judge Kaliris ultimately approved the request, affirming the gravity of the incident. Cordoza emphasized that this encounter reflects a troubling surge in political animosity.
The campaign of Democratic challenger Virgil Thornton Sr. countered with a different narrative, as noted in local media reports. They claimed Cordoza acted aggressively, alleging he “surrounded” Thornton’s niece—the staffer—and used his physical presence to intimidate her. Thornton added that police filed no charges against either side.
Despite these accusations, Cordoza firmly rejected the portrayal of him as the instigator, pointing out that the court sided with him by granting the protective order. Thornton’s campaign, notably, declined multiple requests for further comment. This silence raises questions about the credibility of their claims.
Cordoza also highlighted a pattern of misrepresentation by Thornton, referencing a prior attack ad that local station WAVY deemed misleading. The ad suggested Cordoza brandished a firearm at a police officer, but he clarified the man was in plainclothes and approached aggressively in traffic, prompting a defensive gesture. Another claim accused him of chasing a woman at 18, omitting that police found no wrongdoing and WAVY confirmed he was a robbery victim.
Beyond this incident, Cordoza underscored a disturbing trend, noting he’s the third General Assembly member threatened this political cycle. “I’m the third member of the General Assembly that has been threatened this year, just in this political cycle,” he warned.
For conservatives, this pattern might signal a failure of progressive leadership to curb hostility in political spheres. Isn’t it time for a unified stand against such threats, aligning with Trump’s emphasis on national unity and safety, rather than letting partisan divides fester into violence?
Cordoza cited other cases, including Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, who faced a texted death threat with the suspect swiftly arrested, and Del. Geary Higgins, R-Lovettsville, threatened with being shot at a rally after supporting Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears on a controversial policy stance. He criticized Democrats for not denouncing former Norfolk lawmaker Jay Jones, entangled in a scandal over violent texts against a GOP leader, suggesting political violence is becoming “normalized.”
Despite the personal toll, Cordoza remains committed to legislative solutions, pushing the Virginia Safety and Service Act to shield lawmakers and officials from threats. He also noted a lack of response from House Speaker Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, since the incident. Still, he finds support in a strong bond with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, often relying on each other in their challenging roles.
Cordoza’s track record of public safety extends beyond politics, having authored the CODI Alert system—Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative—to notify the public about missing children in danger. All 14 children under these alerts have been successfully located. This success underscores his dedication to community well-being amid personal threats.
As political tensions spiral, Cordoza’s experience serves as a stark warning of where unchecked hostility could lead. Will Virginia—and the nation—heed this call to dial back the vitriol, or are we doomed to see more such clashes? Conservatives might argue it’s high time for accountability over progressive posturing to ensure safety for all public servants.
