Todd Gilbert Explained

Todd Gilbert
Office:Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
Term Start:January 10, 2024
Predecessor:Don Scott
Term Start1:January 8, 2020
Term End1:January 12, 2022
Predecessor1:Eileen Filler-Corn
Successor1:Eileen Filler-Corn
Office2:57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
Term Start2:January 12, 2022
Term End2:January 10, 2024
Predecessor2:Eileen Filler-Corn
Office3:Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
Term Start3:January 10, 2018
Term End3:January 8, 2020
Predecessor3:Kirk Cox
Successor3:Charniele Herring
Office4:Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Constituency4:15th district (2006–2024)
33rd district (2024–present)
Term Start4:January 11, 2006
Predecessor4:Allen Louderback
Birth Name:Christopher Todd Gilbert
Birth Date:19 October 1970
Birth Place:Newton, Texas, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Jennifer Wishon
Education:University of Virginia (BA)
Southern Methodist University (JD)

Christopher Todd Gilbert (born October 19, 1970) is an American politician and attorney. He previously served as the 57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2022 to 2024. He has been a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2006, representing the 15th district in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, made up of Page and Shenandoah Counties, plus parts of Rockingham and Warren Counties.[1]

Early life and education

Gilbert was born in Newton, Texas. He graduated in 1989 from Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia, where he served as student body president and played three varsity sports. He attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in government in 1993. While at UVA, he was a legislative intern in the Capitol Hill office of then U.S. Representative George Allen.

Upon graduation, he attended the Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1996 and led the student body as president of the Student Bar Association. While at SMU Law, Gilbert won the school's annual mock trial competition and participated on the school's competitive mock trial team.

Early career

Gilbert began his career as a full-time prosecutor.

Political career

Virginia House of Delegates

Elections

He was first elected to represent the 15th district in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005.

Tenure

In 2010, Gilbert was appointed to be Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Delegates.

Gilbert became the Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader on January 10, 2018, as Republicans maintained their majority following the 2017 elections. He was chosen by the House Republican Caucus following their decision to promote current House Majority Leader Kirk Cox to Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Following the 2019 Virginia House of Delegates election, Gilbert became the Minority Leader-designate following Democrats retaking the majority in the House of Delegates.[2]

When the Republicans regained control of the House of Delegates following the 2021 elections, Gilbert became Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Gilbert survived an attempt to oust him as Minority Leader after Republicans suffered losses in the 2023 elections and lost control of the chamber to Democrats.[3]

Committee assignments[4]

Other assignments

Personal life

Todd Gilbert is married to Jennifer Wishon Gilbert. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Outside of his political functions in Richmond, Gilbert also has a private law practice.[1]

Awards and honors

Some of Gilbert's awards and honors:

Electoral history

Date Election Candidate Party Votes %
Virginia House of Delegates, 15th district
Nov 8, 2005[5] GeneralC T GilbertRepublican14,05064.46
J K BlubaughDemocratic7,72135.42
Write Ins260.12
Allen Louderback retired; seat stayed Republican
Nov 6, 2007[6] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican15,15698.05
Write Ins3011.94
Nov 3, 2009[7] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican16,16869.26
John D. LesinskiDemocratic7,15530.65
Write Ins190.08
Nov 8, 2011[8] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican13,61797.85
Write Ins2992.14
Jun 11, 2013[9] Republican primaryC. Todd Gilbert3,66192.10
Mark W. Prince3147.90
Nov 5, 2013[10] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican17,37696.60
Write Ins6153.40
Nov 3, 2015[11] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican16,10297.90
Write Ins3502.10
Nov 7, 2017[12] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican19,28494.30
Write Ins1,1715.70
Nov 5, 2019[13] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican18,91474.40
Beverly HarrisonDemocratic6,49325.50
Write Ins310.10
Nov 2, 2021[14] GeneralC. Todd GilbertRepublican26,61377.69
Emily ScottDemocratic7,60122.19
Write Ins410.12

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bio for C. Todd Gilbert . Virginia House of Delegates . 2013-05-22.
  2. Web site: Virginia Republicans look for a way out of the woods. Vozzella. Laura. 2019-12-07. The Washington Post. 2019-12-10.
  3. Web site: 2023-11-13 . Virginia House Republicans stick with Todd Gilbert as their leader after election loss . 2023-11-25 . AP News . en.
  4. Web site: Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings. virginiageneralassembly.gov. 2020-05-27.
  5. Web site: General Election- November 8, 2005 . Virginia State Board of Elections . 2013-05-22.
  6. Web site: November 6, 2007 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . 2013-05-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131031133431/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2007/196E44FA-8B19-4240-9A44-737216DAA55D/Unofficial/8_s.shtml . October 31, 2013 .
  7. Web site: November 2009 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . 2013-05-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120401160449/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/Official/8_s.shtml . 2012-04-01 .
  8. Web site: November 2011 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . 2013-05-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130520143116/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2011/EB178FD6-875D-4B0D-A295-900A0482F523/Official/8_s.shtml . 2013-05-20 .
  9. Web site: Unofficial Results - Primary Election - June 11, 2013 . Virginia State Board of Elections . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130615230559/http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=HOD&map=CTY . June 15, 2013 .
  10. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » 2013 House of Delegates General Election District 15. 2022-01-07. Virginia Elections Database. en-US.
  11. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » 2015 House of Delegates General Election District 15. 2022-01-07. Virginia Elections Database. en-US.
  12. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » 2017 House of Delegates General Election District 15. 2022-01-07. Virginia Elections Database. en-US.
  13. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » 2019 House of Delegates General Election District 15. 2022-01-07. Virginia Elections Database. en-US.
  14. Web site: 2021 November General. 2022-01-07. results.elections.virginia.gov.