In this Aug. 21, 2024, file photo, Olivia Troye, previous National Security advisor to erstwhile Vice President Mike Pence, delivers remarks onstage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE
Olivia Troye, an ex-staffer for Vice President Mike Pence, who emerged as one of the most prominent figures from the Trump administration to become an outspoken detractor of the president during his initial term, is commencing a campaign for a seat in Congress as a Democrat in Virginia.
Troye functioned as Pence's homeland security counselor but publicly criticized President Donald Trump concerning his management of the coronavirus pandemic and has since evolved into a strong opponent of Trump. She also spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, positioned as one of the Republicans backing then-Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential endeavor.
In this Aug. 21, 2024, file photo, Olivia Troye, previous National Security advisor to erstwhile Vice President Mike Pence, delivers remarks onstage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE
"They deployed MAGA after me. Attempted to financially ruin me. Threatened my life. They assumed they could quiet me. They clearly don't understand me very well," Troye conveyed in a video launched by her campaign.
"In 2024, nothing could deter me from voicing the truth on the stage of the Democratic National Convention, because I am a firm believer in advocating for what is just — for those who lack the ability to advocate for themselves. This is the foundation of my alignment with the Democratic party, and the reason I'm campaigning for Congress."
A press announcement from her campaign reveals that Troye is intending to contest in the "newly suggested seventh district" within Virginia. This alludes to the district boundaries in a freshly proposed congressional map by Democrats; constituents will determine via a statewide vote on April 21 in Virginia whether the Democratic-led legislature should be authorized to enact it.
Olivia Troye speaks during the “State of the Swamp,” a Democratic-led counter-programming ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2026.Leah Millis/Reuters, FILE
The existing 7th district is represented by Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman; nevertheless, under the envisioned map, Vindman would be situated within the fresh 1st district. Troye's campaign states that she is dedicated to aiding in the measure's approval, but will not initiate a primary challenge against Vindman if it fails to pass.
Numerous other prominent contenders, such as former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, previous federal prosecutor JP Cooney, and state Delegate Dan Helmer, are also vying for the proposed 7th district.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com