Virginia's 9th congressional district explained

State:Virginia
District Number:9
Image Caption:Interactive map of district boundaries since 2023
Representative:Morgan Griffith
Party:Republican
Residence:Salem
English Area:9113.87
Distribution Ref:[1]
Percent Urban:41.75
Percent Rural:58.25
Population:785,166[2]
Population Year:2022
Median Income:$54,260
Percent White:85.9
Percent Hispanic:3.0
Percent Black:5.6
Percent Asian:1.7
Percent More Than One Race:3.3
Percent Other Race:0.5
Cpvi:R+23[3]

Virginia's ninth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia, covering much of the southwestern part of the state. The 9th is Virginia's second-largest district in area, covering 9,113.87[4] [5] square miles (slightly larger than the whole state of New Jersey). It has been represented by Republican Morgan Griffith since 2011. He took office after defeating 14-term incumbent Democrat Rick Boucher.[6] With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+23, it is the most Republican district in Virginia.[3]

The Ninth was the most competitive Virginia congressional district in the early 20th century, when the state was part of the Solid South. For twenty years (1903-1923), it was the only congressional district in Virginia — and one of the few in the entire former Confederacy — to be represented by a Republican. The district alternated between Democratic and Republican representation over the rest of the century. Some of the election results were so close — and questionable — that the district became known as "The Fighting Ninth."[7]

Since the 1990s, the district has increasingly trended Republican in federal and state races, and it has taken over from the Shenandoah Valley-based Sixth as the most Republican district in the state. It last supported a Democrat for president in 1996, and has supported a Democrat in only two statewide contests since then.

The 9th is the only district in Virginia that cast more votes for Hillary Clinton than Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary. Clinton won more than 60% of the vote, despite local Congressman Rick Boucher endorsing Obama. Republican presidential candidate John McCain received 59% of the vote in the 9th district in the 2008 General Election, however, his best performance in any of Virginia's eleven congressional districts. Voters in the 9th district supported McCain over Obama in the general election, despite reelecting Democratic Congressman Rick Boucher.[8] In the 2010 midterm elections, in which Democrats lost their majority in Congress, Virginia State Delegate Morgan Griffith unseated Congressman Boucher by aligning Boucher with President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both unpopular figures in the district at the time. Boucher's support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, or Cap and Trade was unpopular in the district. Since then, the district has not supported a Democrat in a statewide or federal election.[9]

As of 2017, the 9th district had the highest poverty rate of any Virginia congressional district, at 18.7 percent.[10]

Recent election results from statewide races

YearOfficeResults
1996U.S. Presidentalign=right Clinton 46%–43%–10%[11]
U.S. Senatoralign=right Warner 55%–44%[12]
1997Governoralign=right Gilmore 57%–41%[13]
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Hager 51%–44%[14]
Attorney Generalalign=right Earley 56%–44%[15]
2000U.S. Presidentalign=right Bush 55%–42%[16]
U.S. Senatoralign=right Allen 57%–43%[17]
2001Governoralign=right Warner 52%–47%[18]
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Katzen 49%–49%
Attorney Generalalign=right Kilgore 69%–31%
2002U.S. Senatoralign=right Warner 83%–8%–9%[19]
2004U.S. Presidentalign=right Bush 60%–39%[20]
2005Governoralign=right Kilgore 55%–43%[21]
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Bolling 57%–43%[22]
Attorney Generalalign=right McDonnell 58%–42%[23]
2006U.S. Senatoralign=right Allen 55%–44%[24]
2008U.S. Presidentalign=right McCain 59%–40%[25]
U.S. Senatoralign=right Warner 63%–36%[26]
2009Governoralign=right McDonnell 66%–34%[27]
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Bolling 66%–34%[28]
Attorney Generalalign=right Cuccinelli 66%–34%[29]
2012U.S. Presidentalign=right Romney 63%–35%[30]
U.S. Senatoralign=right Allen 62%–38%[31]
2013Governoralign=right Cuccinelli 61%–32%–7%[32]
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Jackson 61%–39%[33]
Attorney Generalalign=right Obenshain 67%–33%[34]
2014U.S. Senatoralign=right Gillespie 59%–38%[35]
2016U.S. Presidentalign=right Trump 69%–27%
2017Governoralign=right Gillespie 68%–31%
Lieutenant Governoralign=right Vogel 69%–31%
Attorney Generalalign=right Adams 69%–31%
2018U.S. Senatoralign=right Stewart 64%–35%[36]
2020U.S. Presidentalign=right Trump 70%–28%[37]
2021Governoralign=right Youngkin 74%–24%[38]

Area covered

The 9th district covers all or part of the following political subdivisions:

Counties

The entirety of:

Portions of:

Cities

List of members representing the district

RepresentativePartyTermCong-
ress
Electoral history
District established March 4, 1789
align=left
Theodorick Bland
Anti-Administrationnowrap March 4, 1789 –
June 1, 1790
Elected in 1789.
Died.
Vacantnowrap June 2, 1790 –
December 6, 1790

William B. Giles
Anti-Administrationnowrap December 7, 1790 –
March 3, 1795
Elected in July 1790 to finish Bland's term and seated December 7, 1790.
Re-elected later in 1790.
Re-elected in 1793.
Re-elected in 1795.
Re-elected in 1797.
Resigned.
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1795 –
October 2, 1798
Vacantnowrap October 3, 1798 –
December 2, 1798
align=left Joseph Eggleston
Democratic-Republicannowrap December 3, 1798 –
March 3, 1801
Elected to finish Giles's term.
Re-elected in 1799.
align=left
William B. Giles
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1801 –
March 3, 1803
Elected in 1801.
Redistricted to the and retired.
align=left
Philip R. Thompson
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1803 –
March 3, 1807
Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1803.
Re-elected in 1805.
Re-elected in 1807.
Re-elected in 1809.
Retired.
align=left John Love
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1807 –
March 3, 1811
Elected in 1807.
Re-elected in 1809.
Moved to the and lost re-election there.
align=left Aylett Hawes
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1811 –
March 3, 1813
Elected in 1811.
Redistricted to the .
align=left John P. Hungerford
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1813 –
March 3, 1817
Elected in 1813.
Re-elected in 1815.
Lost re-election.
align=left William L. Ball
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1817 –
March 3, 1823
Elected in 1817.
Re-elected in 1819.
Re-elected in 1821.
Redistricted to the .

Andrew Stevenson
Democratic-Republicannowrap March 4, 1823 –
March 3, 1825
Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1823.
Re-elected in 1825.
Re-elected in 1827.
Re-elected in 1829.
Re-elected in 1831.
Redistricted to the
Jacksonnowrap March 4, 1825 –
March 3, 1833
align=left William P. Taylor
Anti-Jacksoniannowrap March 4, 1833 –
March 3, 1835
Elected in 1833.
Lost re-election.
align=left John Roane
Jacksoniannowrap March 4, 1835 –
March 3, 1837
Elected in 1835.
Retired.
align=left
Robert M. T. Hunter
Whignowrap March 4, 1837 –
March 3, 1843
Elected in 1837.
Re-elected in 1839.
Re-elected in 1841.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Samuel Chilton
Whignowrap March 4, 1843 –
March 3, 1845
Elected in 1843.
Retired.
align=left John S. Pendleton
Whignowrap March 4, 1845 –
March 3, 1849
Elected in 1845.
Re-elected in 1847.
Lost re-election.
align=left Jeremiah Morton
Whignowrap March 4, 1849 –
March 3, 1851
Elected in 1849.
Lost re-election.
align=left
James F. Strother
Whignowrap March 4, 1851 –
March 3, 1853
Elected in 1851.
Lost re-election.
align=left
John Letcher
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1853 –
March 3, 1859
Elected in 1853.
Re-elected in 1855.
Re-elected in 1857.
Retired to run for Governor of Virginia.
align=left
John T. Harris
Independent Democraticnowrap March 4, 1859 –
March 3, 1861
Elected in 1859.
Retired.
District inactivenowrap March 4, 1861 –
June 19, 1863
Civil War
District moved to West Virginia June 20, 1863
District re-established March 4, 1873
align=left
Rees T. Bowen
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1873 –
March 3, 1875
Elected in 1872.
Retired.
align=left
William Terry
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1875 –
March 3, 1877
Elected in 1874.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Auburn L. Pridemore
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1877 –
March 3, 1879
Elected in 1876.
Lost re-election.
align=left
James B. Richmond
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1879 –
March 3, 1881
Elected in 1878.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Abram Fulkerson
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1881 –
March 3, 1883
Elected in 1880.
Retired.
align=left
Henry Bowen
Readjusternowrap March 4, 1883 –
March 3, 1885
Elected in 1882.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Connally F. Trigg
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1885 –
March 3, 1887
Elected in 1884.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Henry Bowen
Republicannowrap March 4, 1887 –
March 3, 1889
Elected in 1886.
Lost re-election.
align=left
John A. Buchanan
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1889 –
March 3, 1893
Elected in 1888.
Re-elected in 1890.
Retired.
align=left James W. Marshall
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1893 –
March 3, 1895
Elected in 1892.
Lost re-election.
align=left
James A. Walker
Republicannowrap March 4, 1895 –
March 3, 1899
Elected in 1894.
Re-elected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
align=left William F. Rhea
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1899 –
March 3, 1903
Elected in 1898.
Re-elected in 1900.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Campbell Slemp
Republicannowrap March 4, 1903 –
October 13, 1907
Elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Died.
Vacantnowrap October 14, 1907 –
December 16, 1907
align=left
C. Bascom Slemp
Republicannowrap December 17, 1907 –
March 3, 1923
Elected to finish Slemp's term.
Re-elected in 1908.
Re-elected in 1910.
Re-elected in 1912.
Re-elected in 1914.
Re-elected in 1916.
Re-elected in 1918.
Re-elected in 1920.
Retired.
align=left
George C. Peery
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1923 –
March 3, 1929
Elected in 1922.
Re-elected in 1924.
Re-elected in 1926.
Retired.
align=left Joseph C. Shaffer
Republicannowrap March 4, 1929 –
March 3, 1931
Elected in 1928.
Lost re-election.
align=left John W. Flannagan Jr.
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1931 –
March 3, 1933
Elected in 1930.
Redistricted to .
District inactivenowrap March 4, 1933 –
January 3, 1935
align=left John W. Flannagan Jr.
Democraticnowrap January 3, 1935 –
January 3, 1949
Redistricted from and re-elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Re-elected in 1944.
Re-elected in 1946.
Retired.
align=left
Thomas B. Fugate
Democraticnowrap January 3, 1949 –
January 3, 1953
Elected in 1948.
Re-elected in 1950.
Retired.
align=left
William C. Wampler
Republicannowrap January 3, 1953 –
January 3, 1955
Elected in 1952.
Lost re-election.
align=left
W. Pat Jennings
Democraticnowrap January 3, 1955 –
January 3, 1967
Elected in 1954.
Re-elected in 1956.
Re-elected in 1958.
Re-elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964.
Lost re-election.
align=left
William C. Wampler
Republicannowrap January 3, 1967 –
January 3, 1983
Elected in 1966.
Re-elected in 1968.
Re-elected in 1970.
Re-elected in 1972.
Re-elected in 1974.
Re-elected in 1976.
Re-elected in 1978.
Re-elected in 1980.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Frederick C. Boucher
Democraticnowrap January 3, 1983 –
January 3, 2011
Elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Re-elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Re-elected in 2004.
Re-elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Lost re-election.
align=left
Morgan Griffith
Republicannowrap January 3, 2011 –
present
Elected in 2010.
Re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.

Recent election results

2022

Historical district boundaries

The Virginia Ninth District started in 1788 covering the counties of Brunswick, Sussex, Greensville, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Ameila, Cumberland and Powhatan.[39]

See also

References

36.9833°N -81.3506°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Congressional Districts Relationship Files (State-based) . . February 7, 2018 . April 2, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130402141525/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/cd_state.html . dead.
  2. Web site: Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP) . US Census Bureau . My Congressional District . www.census.gov.
  3. Web site: 2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List. 2023-01-10. Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022 . en.
  4. Web site: 9,113.87 .
  5. Web site: Geography . US Census Bureau . Congressional Districts Relationship Files (state-based) . June 2, 2017 . www.census.gov . EN-US.
  6. Web site: Virginia State Board of Elections . November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Official Results: U.S. House of Representatives . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721074243/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2010/EB24720D-F5C6-4880-8DC5-12AE4D0C3772/official/6_s.shtml . July 21, 2011 . September 25, 2018.
  7. News: Bohlen . Celestine . The Fighting Ninth . May 18, 2020 . Washington Post.
  8. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » 2008 President General Election . December 26, 2019 . Virginia Elections Database . en-US.
  9. Web site: Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections . December 26, 2019 . Virginia Elections Database . en-US.
  10. Web site: US Census Bureau . My Congressional District: Virginia . September 25, 2018 . www.census.gov . en-US.
  11. Web site: Summarized by Congressional District . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth Of Virginia – State Board of Elections ELECTION RESULTS November 5, 1996 General Election For Office of PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT of the United States . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228232425/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1996/results1996-presvpres-district_totals.htm . dead .
  12. Web site: Summarized by Congressional District . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth Of Virginia – State Board of Elections ELECTION RESULTS November 5, 1996 General Election For Office of UNITED STATES SENATE . Virginia State Board of Elections . July 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130724230548/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1996/results1996-us_senate-district_totals.htm . dead .
  13. Web site: Summary by Congressional District . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth Of Virginia/ELECTION RESULTS/November 4, 1997 GENERAL ELECTION/For Office of GOVERNOR/By Congressional District . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228232100/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1997/GOV97DST.htm . dead .
  14. Web site: Commonwealth Of Virginia ELECTION RESULTS NOVEMBER 4, 1997 GENERAL ELECTION For Office of LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR By Congressional District . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth Of Virginia/ELECTION RESULTS/November 4, 1997 GENERAL ELECTION/For Office of LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR/By Congressional District . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 19, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219182053/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1997/Ltgovdst.htm . dead .
  15. Web site: SUMMARY OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS/by Congressional District . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth Of Virginia/ELECTION RESULTS/November 4, 1997 GENERAL ELECTION/For Office of ATTORNEY GENERAL/By Congressional District . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 19, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219182155/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1997/ag97_dst.htm . dead .
  16. Web site: U.S. President/Vice-President . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100617114507/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2000/nov/nov2000/#01 . June 17, 2010 . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth of Virginia/November 7, 2000 – General Election/OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS . Virginia State Board of Elections .
  17. Web site: U.S. Senate . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth of Virginia/November 7, 2000 – General Election/OFFICIAL RESULTS . Virginia State Board of Elections . January 31, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140131213452/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2000/nov/nov2000/ussenate.htm . dead .
  18. Web site: Official Results/Governor . July 17, 2013 . General Election – November 6, 2001 . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 29, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121229000128/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2001/nov2001/html/d_03.htm . dead .
  19. Web site: Official Results/U.S. Senate . July 17, 2013 . November 5, 2002 General Election Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228235050/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2002/nov/d_02.htm . dead .
  20. Web site: Official Results/President . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228232314/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2004/Nov2004/#01 . December 28, 2012 . July 17, 2013 . Commonwealth of Virginia/November 2 – General Election . Virginia State Board of Elections .
  21. Web site: Official Results/Governor . July 17, 2013 . General Election – November 8, 2005 . Virginia State Board of Elections . December 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228235809/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2005/nov2005/html/d_03.htm . dead .
  22. Web site: Official Results/Lieutenant Governor . July 17, 2013 . General Election – November 8, 2005 . Virginia State Board of Elections . July 16, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120716185816/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2005/nov2005/html/d_04.htm . dead .
  23. Web site: Official Results/Attorney General . July 17, 2013 . General Election – November 8, 2005 . Virginia State Board of Elections . July 16, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120716185803/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2005/nov2005/html/d_05.htm . dead .
  24. Web site: Official Results/U.S. Senate . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130813131958/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2006/Nov/htm/index.htm#02 . August 13, 2013 . July 17, 2013 . General Election – November 7, 2006 . Virginia State Board of Elections .
  25. Web site: President>President And Vice President>Votes By District . July 17, 2013 . November 2008 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000450/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2008/07261AFC-9ED3-410F-B07D-84D014AB2C6B/Official/1_d_89BE12EC-7BBF-479C-935A-9B8C51DD3524_s.shtml . dead .
  26. Web site: Congress>U.S. Senate>United States Senate>Votes By District . July 17, 2013 . November 2008 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . June 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140611233021/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2008/07261AFC-9ED3-410F-B07D-84D014AB2C6B/Official/5_d_0F4812A9-B835-4B53-9D64-99F6A1DA3945_s.shtml . dead .
  27. Web site: Governor>Votes by District . July 17, 2013 . November 2009 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . April 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120401165843/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/Official/2_d_41C57304-C645-42F9-B344-968D3EE33B12_s.shtml . dead .
  28. Web site: Lieutenant Governor>Votes by District . July 17, 2013 . November 2009 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . January 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111193403/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/Official/3_d_486A1522-49F4-4C3F-A8AF-AF34F83C7978_s.shtml . dead .
  29. Web site: Attorney General>Votes by District . July 17, 2013 . November 2009 General Election Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . January 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111193359/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/Official/4_d_8BB30DFB-A850-4B96-B2C1-370D5C7FF9A4_s.shtml . dead .
  30. Web site: President>President And Vice President>Votes By District . July 17, 2013 . November 2012 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . August 9, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160809052651/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/1_d_1323CEA4-0C91-4BA4-BEC1-ECF0B10F499F_s.shtml . dead .
  31. Web site: Congress>U.S. Senate>United States Senate>Votes By District . July 17, 2013 . November 2012 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections . January 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111184738/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/5_d_DE97580C-F069-4752-92FF-28FB0BBAE1C4_s.shtml . dead .
  32. Web site: 2013 Governor General Election . April 10, 2016 . November 2013 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections.
  33. Web site: 2013 Lieutenant Governor General Election . April 10, 2016 . November 2013 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections.
  34. Web site: 2013 Attorney General General Election . April 10, 2016 . November 2013 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections.
  35. Web site: 2014 U.S. Senate General Election . April 10, 2016 . November 2014 Official Results . Virginia State Board of Elections.
  36. Web site: 2018 U.S. Senate Results by Congressional District . June 16, 2018 . The Virginia Public Access Project . en.
  37. Web site: Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012.
  38. 1460659975093686275. greggiroux. Certified results of Virginia governor's election by current congressional district. November 16, 2021.
  39. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081883278&seq=658 Statute of 20 November 1788