Matt Lohr
| Matt Lohr | ||
| Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| March 16, 2010 - Present | ||
| Years in position | 3 | |
| Party | Non-partisan | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Appointed | March 16, 2010 | |
| Appointed by | Governor of Virginia | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Prior offices | ||
| Virginia House of Delegates District 26 | ||
| 2006 - April 30, 3010 | ||
| Personal | ||
| Profession | Agriculture | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
Political career
Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture (March 16, 2010-Present)
Lohr was appointed commissioner on March 16, 2010 and he officially began his duties on May 1, 2010.[2]
Virginia House of Delegates (2006-April 2010)
Lohr was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2006.
Committee assignments
Lohr was serving on the following committees when he resigned:
- Finance
- Subcommittee #1
- Counties, Cities and Towns
- Subcommittee #2
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee
- Agriculture Subcommittee (Vice Chair)
- Chesapeake Subcommittee
Sponsored legislation
- HB 1699 Biofuels; broadens Right to Farm Act to allow farmers to engage in small-scale production.
- HB 2054 Novelty cigarette lighters; prohibiting purchase, distribution, etc. to persons under age of 18.
- HB 2163 Midwifery; regulations governing practice thereof.[3]
Issue positions
Lohr's official website listed his legislative priorities as, "low taxes, restrained spending and quality jobs," "better education for our children," "curbing illegal immigration," "keeping our community safe," "traditional family values," and "promoting agriculture."[4]
His answers to the Virginia State Legislative Election 2005 National Political Awareness Test are available. When asked his priorities he listed the top three as:
- 1. Efficient state government. Make government more accountable and efficient. Prioritize spending on core projects without having to raise additional revenues
- 2. Education. Continue providing a world class education to students in Virginia. Additional funding would come from state surplus and prioritizing state spending. More opportunities for career and technical education.
- 3. Overhaul the broken Medicaid system. Medicaid continues to grow at alarming rates. A revamping of this program is needed to insure benefits and reduce waste.[5]
Rockingham County School Board (2002-2005)
Prior to his election to the House, Lohr served on the Rockingham County School Board from 2002-2005.
Elections
2009
In 2009, Lohr was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He defeated Gene Hart, Jr. in the General Election. [6]
| Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 26 (2009) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Matt Lohr (R)
|
11,328 | |||
| Gene Hart, Jr. (D) | 4,170 | |||
|
|
Campaign donors
The top 5 donors to Lohr's 2009 campaign:[7]
| Contributor | 2009 total |
|---|---|
| Virginia Dental Assoc | $3,000 |
| Virginia Assoc of Realtors | $2,500 |
| Virginia Bankers Assoc | $2,500 |
| Dominion | $2,000 |
| Common Sense PAC | $1,927 |
External links
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Lohr's biography
- Campaign Contributions:2009, 2007, 2005
- Virginia Public Access Project profile
- Richmond Sunlight profile
References
- ↑ Washington Post, "McDonnell appoints Lohr agriculture commissioner," March 16, 2010
- ↑ Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, "About VDACS," accessed September 8, 2011
- ↑ Bill Tracking - Legislation as Chief Patron
- ↑ Delegate Lohr Issues
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Delegate Lohr Issue Positions
- ↑ Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results
- ↑ Follow the Money - 2009 Campaign Contributions
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