Key Facts
Background
Parker served as Henry County Board Supervisor in the mid-2000s and ran unsuccessfully for the House of Delegates in 2007. He is a retired executive recruiter. Parker’s daughter, Alison Parker, was shot and killed by an angry former station employee in August 2015. Since then, Parker became a gun safety activist and published a book For Alison: The Murder of a Young Journalist and a Father’s Fight for Gun Safety.
Parker is also an advocate against major technology companies and has filed multiple complaints against tech giants with the Federal Trade Commission over videos of Alison’s murder remaining online. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News to discuss violent content online and has testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Key Issues
Technology
Parker has advocated for reforming Section 230, a law that protects social media companies from lawsuits over content on their platforms. He also wants to make the Federal Trade Commission more responsive and push for a hearing with the FTC Chair. Parker believes that social media platforms do not do enough to mitigate or prevent the spread of violent content or misinformation. He has filed complaints against tech companies with the FTC and testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the issue.
Economy
Parker supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and supports U.S. investment in domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. As Board Supervisor, Parker previously supported repaving rural roads, removing derelict buildings, and bringing more tourism to the region by opening waterways to recreational kayaking.
Guns
Parker advocates for stricter gun safety laws and is an opponent of the National Rifle Association. He published a book on gun safety titled For Alison: The Murder of a Young Journalist and a Father’s Fight for Gun Safety.
Endorsements
No current endorsements
Sources
Andy Parker
The Washington Post
CBS News
The Guardian
Richmond-Times Dispatch