Insurrectionist suspect from Clarke County active in local Republican politics

By Evan Goodenow, The Winchester Star Jan 20, 2021 Updated 18 hrs ago



A sign by a barn outside the Wadesville Road home of insurrection suspect and alleged Oath Keeper Thomas Edward Caldwell on Tuesday. The Clarke County resident was arrested and charged with violently entering the U.S, Capitol on Jan. 6 along with members of the far-right extremist group.

Evan Goodenow/The Winchester Star

Insurrectionist suspect and alleged far-right militia member Thomas Edward Caldwell is active in Clarke County Republican politics. ... Caldwell and his wife Sharon are constituents of Del. Dave LaRock, R-Hamilton, who said on Tuesday that he has known them since he took office in 2014.

"Tom is a wonderful man. He and Sharon have been very supportive of me," said LaRock, who represents Virginia's 33rd District, which includes parts of Clarke, Frederick and Loudoun counties. "Tom has served our country in a long and distinguished career in the U.S. military. I think very highly of Tom and Sharon."

LaRock said he was "shocked" and "amazed" to learn that Caldwell, who the delegate said is active in his local church, had been arrested and charged with serious crimes related to the storming of the Capitol.

LaRock said he was at the Jan. 6 rally in which President Trump urged supporters to "fight like hell" to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's victory. He said he didn't see the Caldwells in the crowd, but noted there were thousands of people there.

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No one answered the door at the Caldwell home on Tuesday afternoon, but a sign by a barn said Trump Country.