YORK COUNTY, Va. — A speech made three years ago is now at the center of a political fight on the Peninsula.
At a January 2020 pro-gun rights protest at the state capitol in Richmond, former York-Poquoson Sheriff Danny Diggs gave a speech to the crowd.
"Being here today is part of a struggle, and we are committed to winning that struggle," Diggs told the demonstrators. "Safe from criminals and from a corrupt government."
That appearance is now at the center of a contested political ad in a race that could determine who holds power in Richmond.
Diggs is challenging Democratic state Sen. Monty Mason for a newly drawn district that includes portions of Newport News, Williamsburg, York County and Poquoson.
An ad by Mason’s team attacks Diggs’ appearance at this protest, calling into question the other protesters who appeared alongside Diggs.
Mason told 13News Now that Diggs was a sheriff when he took part in that 2020 event.
"We had all kinds of intelligence that dangerous groups participated [in the protest]," Mason said. "My opponent chose to be a part of it, and as a featured speaker.”
Diggs has pushed back on Mason's claims, saying he was there only to "support the Second Amendment."
"I was there. I was asked to be a guest speaker," Diggs said. "I went there to show my support for the Constitution and Second Amendment. I was a minor speaker. Monty wants to say that 'that's extreme.' Supporting the Constitution is extreme. That’s crazy."
Diggs added, "There were 20,000 people there. He claims there were all these hate groups... I don’t know [if] they were there. I didn’t meet with them, I didn’t talk to them."
The Diggs-Mason race has generated more than $5 million in fundraising between both sides, which is the largest total for any race covering the Hampton Roads area.