Arizona Republican Chris Taylor, a combat veteran who was running for the House of Representatives, has announced that he is canceling his campaign after a recent heroin overdose.
“Today, I have suspended my campaign for the US House of Representatives and am seeking treatment for substance abuse disorder. I will fully cooperate with local authorities on any matters arising from my recent relapse and overdose,” Taylor told reporters in a statement. The Arizona politician has been open in the past about his struggles with substance abuse.
Chris Taylor was seeking election to the US House of Representatives in the 2020 elections. Taylor was to run against Democratic Representative Tom O’Halleran.
O’Halleran won his last election for the 1st District in Arizona, garnering 54% of the vote in 2018 during a sweeping “blue wave” of Democrats winning House seats.
Taylor’s campaign hinged on his background as a combat veteran. He tried to get ahead of efforts to disparage him for his history of drug addiction. Taylor was forthcoming and unashamed of his past, owning his then-former addiction. However, a relapse forced him to suspend his campaign.
“I’m not going to hide from this. I’m not ashamed of what happened. I wish to sincerely apologize to the amazing people who have supported me,” Taylor said in a statement.
Taylor enlisted in 2007 and served two tours in Afghanistan. He has long been an advocate for veterans, supporting rehab and depression treatment centers for former soldiers. His nonprofit, Desert Eagle Addiction Recovery, seeks to help both veterans and civilians struggling with drug addiction.
He continued, “I recently relapsed after having so many solid years in sobriety. I have to figure out where I went wrong.”
Taylor continued, “The only thing I can do is face this head on in complete humility and put one foot in front of the other so that I can get the help needed to be the father and husband that my family deserves. I’m human and I have never pretended to be anything but.”
