Mark Obenshain
From Ballotpedia
| Mark Obenshain | ||
 | ||
| Virginia Senate District 26 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2004 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 11, 2012 | ||
| Years in position | 8 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $18,000/year | |
| Per diem | $169/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2007 | |
| First elected | 2003 | |
| Next election | November 8, 2011 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | 06/11/1962 | |
| Place of birth | Richmond, VA | |
| Profession | Attorney | |
| Religion | Presbyterian | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
Contents |
Obenshain received a B.A. at Virginia Tech in 1984 and a J.D. at Lee University School of Law in 1987. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
In addition to serving as a senator Obenshain works as an attorney.
Committee assignments
2012-2013
In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Obenshain has been appointed to the following committees:
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- Commerce and Labor Committee
- Courts of Justice
- Privileges and Elections, Chairman
- Rules
2010-2011
In the 2010-2011 legislative session, Obenshain served on the following committees:
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- Courts of Justice
- Local Government
- Privileges and Elections
District 26
Obenshain represents Virginia Senate District 26. Senate District 26 includes Harrisonburg, Page County, Rappahannock County, Rockingham County(part), Shenandoah County, Warren County.
Elections
2011
On November 8, 2011, Obenshain won re-election to District 26 of the Virginia State Senate. He was unchallenged in the August 23 primary election and ran unopposed in the November 8 general election.[1]
2007
On Nov. 6, 2007, Obenshain won re-election to the 26th District Seat in the Virginia State Senate, defeating opponent Maxine Roles (D).[2]
Obenshain raised $234,105 for his campaign while Roles raised $13,989.[3]
| Virginia State Senate, District 26 (2007) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Mark Obenshain (R)
| 25,955 | 70.40% | ||
| Maxine Roles (D) | 10,862 | 29.46% | ||
Issues
Campaign themes
Obenshain's campaign website lists the following issues:
- Holding the Line on Taxes
- Excerpt: "Our families already pay too much in taxes – on average, more than they spend on food, clothing, and shelter combined. In these economically trying times, higher taxes and fees would be particularly devastating."
- Better Schools for Virginia’s Children
- Excerpt: "Education is one of the most basic responsibilities of government, and I will continue to make it one of my top priorities. I recognize that state government has an important role to play, but also know that the best decisions are made “on the ground” in our local school divisions and not by education bureaucrats in Richmond."
- Improving Transportation
- Excerpt: "I have been a leading proponent of reforming the Virginia Department of Transportation. I took the lead in calling for an external performance audit of the Department, and I championed the reopening of the rest stops with my colleagues from the Shenandoah Valley."
- Government Reform
- Excerpt: "Simply put, government needs to be run more like a business. Of course, there are distinctions, but , but the degree of inefficiency, duplication, and overhead would astound the most seasoned businessman, and many long-entrenched governmental functions would wither under public scrutiny."
- Strengthening Public Safety
- Excerpt: "As a member of the Senate of Virginia, I have worked hard to provide law enforcement and judges with the tools they need to put criminals behind bars and to enhance penalties for gangs and drug felons."
- Protecting Private Property Rights
- Excerpt: "As co-patron of successful legislation defending the property rights of all Virginians against the Kelo-era expansion of government’s eminent domain power to encompass such nebulous categories as economic development, I have been at the forefront of the property rights battle here in Virginia and will continue to work to enshrine eminent domain reform in the Constitution of Virginia."
- Defending Second Amendment Rights
- Excerpt: "I believe strongly in the preservation of our gun rights in Virginia and have worked alongside the NRA to uphold these rights."
- Promoting Energy Independence
- Excerpt: "I stand in strong support of Virginia’s efforts to tap the significant oil deposits along Virginia’s outer continental shelf in an environmentally sensitive manner, and I will work to ensure that Virginia continues to welcome these many and varied approaches to energy independence.
- Protecting Valley Values of Faith and Family
- Excerpt: "I believe in the sanctity of innocent human life and will stand strong to protect the rights of Virginians from those who would drive all references to God and faith from the public square."
Campaign donors
Below are Obenshain's top 5 campaign contributors in the 2007 election:
| Contributor | 2007 total |
|---|---|
| David K. Rensin | $25,000 |
| Virginia Trial Lawyers Association | $8,000 |
| Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (Lawyers) | $5,000 |
| 2007 Conservative Victory Committee | $5,000 |
| Virginia Association of Realtors | $4,964 |
Personal
Obenshain was born in Richmond, Virginia on June 11, 1962. He is married to Suzanne Speas Obenshain.
External links
- Sen. Obenshain's website
- Biography from the Virginia Legislature
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions:2003, 2005, 2007
- Mark Obenshain on Facebook
References
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kevin G. Miller | Virginia Senate District 26 2004-present | Succeeded by NA |
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