COLLIN COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News) – Less than 24 hours after being forced into a primary runoff this week, U.S. Representative Van Taylor (R-Plano) abruptly ended his campaign after allegations of infidelity with a former jihadist dubbed the ‘ISIS bride’ surfaced.
Taylor confirmed the affair and apologized to supporters via email that read in part:
“About a year ago, I made a horrible mistake that has caused deep hurt and pain among those I love most in the world. I had an affair, it was wrong, and it was the greatest failure of my life. I want to apologize for the pain I have cause with my indiscretion, most of all to my wife Anne and our three daughters,” he wrote.
Reports of the affair surfaced on the Conservative outlet Breitbart News before Tuesday’s primary election, with claims that Taylor was having an affair with Tania Joya of Plano and allegedly paid her $5,000 to shut her up.
Joya gained national attention for her role as a former jihadist who was once married to a commander for the Islamic State.
Taylor was set to face off against Republican candidate Keith Self in a May 24th runoff elections. According to state law, he must withdraw his name from the ballot by March 16.
The Collin County native has represented the 3rd Congressional District in the Dallas suburbs since 2018.
Copyright 2021. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.