EXCLUSIVE — A Republican looking to flip a competitive Virginia congressional district in 2024 is zeroing in on the security issues on the southern border despite the commonwealth's great distance from it.
Immigration issues occurring in states like Texas and Arizona have had a significant effect in places like Virginia, including increased gang violence and human trafficking, said former Navy SEAL Cameron Hamilton, who is running to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).
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"I can say that Stafford and Prince William [counties] have been inundated with migrants," he claimed. "Their violent crime due to gang activity has exploded over the past several years, especially human trafficking has become perpetuated."
"People are terrified at the idea of that violent gang crime inculcating and making its way down. We're already starting to see some of it in Culpeper [County]," he added.
According to Hamilton, "rural America really isn't safe from some of these things. In fact, many times, rural America is exploited by some of those organizations because they can maintain a lower profile. So it is affecting people in this region."
As for Spanberger's supported policies, he said, "She has been very soft on crime." He also claimed her public portrayal "as a moderate" is not reflected in her political positions. "Her policies are very destructive. And some of the things that she capitulates to within her own party are very destructive."
Hamilton has a unique understanding of the issues with immigration and at the southern border. As a former division director at Homeland Security, he had a first-hand view of the system, flaws and all, in action.
"I did work at DHS for about three and a half years," he recalled. "I had an operational and medical background and experience."
At the Department of Homeland Security, he worked within the Office of Health Security, where he reported directly to the DHS chief medical officer. "I have a very unique set of insight into the medical care that goes on on the southern border," the Republican candidate explained.
A recent report from the Los Angeles Times citing three U.S. officials alleged that the Biden administration is considering instituting a policy requiring unauthorized immigrants to stay in Texas, the state that covers much of the southern border, until they can be screened for asylum. This would be enforced through GPS tracking via ankle monitors. The hope of the administration is reportedly to keep these immigrants closer to the border to make deportation easier if they fail the screenings. It is also intended to stop the increased spread of immigrants to locations further into the country's interior.
According to Hamilton, having overseen medical care on the border, the country can expect more deaths if such a policy is implemented. "We're putting people in a more congregate setting with less resources to manage them," he said.
He recalled some of the recent deaths of immigrants while in U.S. custody, which he said "have been awful." He noted that DHS is often blamed for the deaths when, in fact, they're subject to managing "a dumpster fire with limited resources."
Most of the time, the Republican said, "it's a lack of resources and planning," with staff "extremely overworked and not provided the adequate resources to manage the problem."
"They're trying their best to manage it, and they do so at great personal risk and great personal sacrifice," he claimed.
Of border states that could be subject to such a policy by the Biden administration, he said, "the healthcare infrastructure for those regions are already overwhelmed."
He then slammed the alleged policy under consideration as "a recipe for disaster."
Spanberger, who currently represents the Virginia district, hasn't announced a reelection campaign. She could not be reached by the Washington Examiner for comment. Further, reports have alleged that she plans to run for governor of the commonwealth in 2025 and is waiting until after Virginia's statewide elections in November to announce it. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) cannot seek another term.
If Spanberger does not run in the key district, Democrats lose the advantage of having an incumbent in the race. Virginia's 7th District is considered a must-win for the party. In 2022, Spanberger defeated her Republican opponent, Yesli Vega, by less than 13,000 votes. It is considered a competitive race by the Cook Political Report, which rates it as "Likely Democrat," though the rating may change if Spanberger doesn't run.
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Republicans consider it a pickup opportunity for the party, with National Republican Congressional Committee regional press secretary Delanie Bomar saying, “The Biden border crisis caused increased crime and fentanyl in Virginia. During her time in office, Abigail Spanberger spent no time addressing this crisis in office, and it shows.”
Hamilton will compete against other Republicans in the primary election on June 18 for the chance to take on the Democratic candidate in November 2024.