[1][2] Stanley was born in Milton, Florida, the son of a United States Navy aviator.
He joined the Northern Virginia law firm of Gilbert Davis, where he was involved in Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton.
[2] In 2009, Stanley's home in Franklin County was shifted into the neighboring 20th District of incumbent Democrat Roscoe Reynolds.
W. Jeff Evans, the 2007 Republican candidate, ran as an independent, finishing third with 7.58% of the vote.
[4] Stanley wrote the 2023 Virginia law requiring age verification for access to online pornography.