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Thomas Garrett
2024 - Present
2026
1
Thomas Garrett (Republican Party) is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 56. He assumed office on January 10, 2024. His current term ends on January 14, 2026.
Garrett (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 56. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] The Republican primary for this office on June 17, 2025, was canceled.
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Garrett's academic, professional, and political career:[1]
- 2017-2019: U.S. Representative from Virginia's 5th Congressional District
- 2012-2016: Virginia state senator
- 2008-2012: Louisa County commonwealth attorney
- 2002-2007: Assistant attorney general, Virginia
- 1995-2000: U.S. Army
- 2002: Graduated from the University of Richmond with a J.D.
- 1994: Graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.A.
Elections
2025
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 56
Incumbent Thomas Garrett and Angela Chainer are running in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 56 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Thomas Garrett (R) | |
Angela Chainer (D) |
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Angela Chainer advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 56.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Thomas Garrett advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 56.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2023
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2023
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 56
Thomas Garrett won election in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 56 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Thomas Garrett (R) | 89.5 | 20,968 |
Other/Write-in votes | 10.5 | 2,451 |
Total votes: 23,419 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Republican convention
Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 56
Thomas Garrett defeated Kevin Bailey and Jennie Wood in the Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 56 on May 20, 2023.
Candidate | ||
Kevin Bailey (R) | ||
✔ | ![]() | Thomas Garrett (R) |
Jennie Wood (R) |
![]() | ||||
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Endorsements
Garrett received the following endorsements.
2018
Thomas Garrett did not file to run for re-election.
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Tom Garrett (R) defeated Jane Dittmar (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Garrett defeated Jim McKelvey, Michael Del Rosso, and Joe Whited at the Republican convention on May 14, 2016.[2][3]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | ![]() |
58.2% | 207,758 | |
Democratic | Jane Dittmar | 41.6% | 148,339 | |
N/A | Write-in | 0.2% | 659 | |
Total Votes | 356,756 | |||
Source: Virginia Department of Elections |
2015
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2015
Elections for the Virginia State Senate took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[4] No Democratic candidates filed for election. Incumbent Thomas Garrett was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[5]
2011
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2011
On November 8, 2011, Garrett won election to District 22 of the Virginia State Senate. He defeated Mark Peake, Bryan Rhode, Brian Bates, and Claudia Tucker in the primary on August 23, 2011. He defeated Bert Dodson (D) in the general election on November 8, 2011.[6]
Virginia State Senate, District 22 General Election, 2011 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
58.2% | 28,357 | |
Democratic | Bert Dodson | 41.8% | 20,389 | |
Total Votes | 48,746 |
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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You can ask Thomas Garrett to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing info@tomfordelegate.com.
2023
Thomas Garrett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2011
Garrett's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
- Job Creation
- Drug Testing for Welfare
- Excerpt: "Tom has called for drug testing for welfare recipients. If law abiding citizens must go through drug testing for employment purposes, that at the very least welfare recipients should go through drug testing so that tax payer money does not go to subsidize illegal activity."
- Pro-Life
- Excerpt: "I assure you that on issues of life, I will vote to protect the first and foremost inalienable right given to us by the Creator. No exceptions."
- Illegal Immigration
- Rural Internet
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 9. Special sessions occurred May 13, 2024; June 18 to July 1; and July 18, 2024.
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Congressional tenure
Key votes
- See also: Key votes
Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.
Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018
- For detailed information about each vote, click here.
Committee assignments
2017-2018
At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Garrett was assigned to the following committees:[45]
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Committee on Homeland Security
State legislative tenure (2012-2017)
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2016
In 2016, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 13 through March 11.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia: 2016-2017 legislative voting record
- Legislators are scored based on their voting record on reproductive issues.
- Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on business and quality of life issues.
- The American Conservative Union: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The Family Foundation of Virginia: 2016-2017 report card
- Legislators are scored by the Family Foundation on their votes on bills related to "principles of life, marriage, parental authority, constitutional government and religious liberty."
- Virginia Citizens Defense League: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce: 2016 legislative report card
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues during the 2016-2017 legislative session.
- Virginia Chapter Sierra Club: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the climate and energy.
- Virginia Education Association: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
- Virginia Free: 2016 legislator ratings
- Legislators are scored based on legislation related to business and industry issues.
- Virginia League of Conservation Voters: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental and conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on 11 bills chosen by the Virginia Tea Party Patriots.
2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 14 to February 28, 2015.
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 10.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 9 to February 25.
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2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Virginia General Assembly was in regular session from January 11 to March 10.
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Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Garrett served on the following committees:
Virginia committee assignments, 2016 |
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• Courts of Justice |
• Education and Health |
• General Laws and Technology |
• Privileges and Elections |
• Transportation |
2015 legislative session
In the 2015 legislative session, Garrett served on the following committees:
Virginia committee assignments, 2015 |
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• Courts of Justice |
• Education and Health |
• General Laws and Technology |
• Privileges and Elections |
2014 legislative session
In the 2014 legislative session, Garrett served on the following committees:
Virginia committee assignments, 2014 |
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• Courts of Justice |
• Education and Health |
• General Laws and Technology |
• Privileges and Elections |
2012-2013
In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Garrett served on the following committees:
Virginia committee assignments, 2012 |
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• Courts of Justice |
• Education and Health |
• General Laws and Technology |
• Privileges and Elections |
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Candidate Virginia House of Delegates District 56 |
Officeholder Virginia House of Delegates District 56 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "GARRETT, Thomas Alexander Jr., (1972 - )," accessed January 15, 2017
- ↑ Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Garrett wins GOP nomination in 5th Congressional District," May 14, 2016
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "List of Candidates," accessed September 8, 2016
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed August 21, 2015
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2011 General Election Official Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017
- ↑ U.S. House Clerk, ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by John McGuire (R) |
Virginia House of Delegates District 56 2024-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by Robert Hurt (R) |
U.S. House Virginia District 5 2017-2019 |
Succeeded by Denver Lee Riggleman III (R) |
Preceded by Ralph Smith (R) |
Virginia State Senate District 22 2012-2017 |
Succeeded by Mark Peake (R) |