Tom Garrett Jr.

Tom Garrett Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded by Robert Hurt
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
January 11, 2012  January 3, 2017
Preceded by Ralph K. Smith
Succeeded by Mark Peake
Personal details
Born Thomas Alexander Garrett Jr.
(1972-03-27) March 27, 1972
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Dana Garrett (1998–2009)
Flanna Garrett (2016–present)
Children 2 daughters
Alma mater University of Richmond (BA, JD)
Website Official website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1995–2000
Rank Captain
Unit 214th Fires Brigade

Thomas Alexander Garrett Jr. (born March 27, 1972) is an American politician and former prosecutor. He is the United States Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district. A Republican, Garrett formerly represented the 22nd District in the Virginia Senate.[1]

Early life and family

Thomas Garrett was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Thomas Alexander Garrett Sr. and his wife, Lois. Garrett is a graduate of Louisa County High School and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Richmond.[2] He resides with his wife, Flanna, and two daughters, Carolyn and Laura, in unincorporated Buckingham County (with a Scottsville address).

Military career

Garrett served for six years in the U.S. Army,[3] where he was a Field Artillery Officer.[4]

Political career

Commonwealth's attorney

Garrett served as an Assistant Attorney General under Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell. In 2007, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Louisa County.

State Senate

After the General Assembly redistricted the State Senate as required by the Virginia Constitution in 2011, Garrett decided to run in an open seat. The 22nd District was open due to the incumbent Republican Ralph K. Smith's home in Roanoke being drawn into another district.

In the Republican primary, Garrett came in first in a 5-person field with nearly 26% of the vote and a margin of fewer than 200 votes.[5] During his time in office, he served on the General Laws and Technology, Courts of Justice, Education and Health, and Privileges and Elections committees. He received the Freshman Legislator of the Year Award in 2012 from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Defender of Liberty Award from the American Conservative Union in 2013.[6]

2016 congressional election

In May 2016, after three ballots at the Republican nominating convention, Garrett won the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative in Virginia's 5th congressional district[7]

In the November 2016 general election, Garrett defeated Democratic nominee Jane Dittmar, the former chairwoman of the Albemarle County board of supervisors. Garrett received 58% of the vote to Dittmar's 42%.[8][9]

115th Congress

In January 2017, Congressman Garrett was named to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Education and the Workforce. He is also a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.[6]

References

  1. "Richmond Times Dispatch". May 14, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
  2. Garrett to Challenge Short for Louisa Post, The Central Virginian, June 21, 2007.
  3. Staff reports, Candidates for 5th District outline priorities for Southside, Gazette-Virginian (October 31, 2016).
  4. James Ivancic, Freshman Congressman Tom Garrett looks forward to busy session, Fauquier Times (December 27, 2016).
  5. "2011 Results, Virginia State Board of Elections". Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  6. 1 2 citation needed
  7. Rhor, Alex (May 14, 2016). "Sen. Tom Garrett wins 5th District Republican nomination on third ballot". The News & Advance.
  8. "Virginia 2016 general election results". November 9, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  9. "Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
Senate of Virginia
Preceded by
Ralph K. Smith
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 22nd district

2012–2017
Succeeded by
Mark Peake
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Robert Hurt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th congressional district

2017present
Incumbent
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Mike Gallagher
R-Wisconsin
United States Representatives by seniority
401st
Succeeded by
Vicente González
D-Texas
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