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John Bell (Virginia)

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John Bell
Democratic Party
Prior offices:
Virginia State Senate District 13
Years in office: 2020 - 2024
Predecessor: Richard Black (R)
Successor: Lashrecse Aird (D)
Virginia House of Delegates District 87
Years in office: 2016 - 2020
Successor: Suhas Subramanyam (D)
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2019
Education
Bachelor's
Regis University
Graduate
George Washington University
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Air Force
Years of service
1981 - 2007
Personal
Profession
Finance
Contact
Personal Facebook
Personal LinkedIn

John Bell (Democratic Party) was a member of the Virginia State Senate, representing District 13. He assumed office on January 8, 2020. He left office on January 10, 2024.

Bell (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Virginia State Senate to represent District 13. He won in the general election on November 5, 2019.


Biography

Bell received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Regis University. He later received an M.B.A. and a master's degree in organizational development from George Washington University. He has worked in the finance industry. Bell served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, retiring in 2007 as a major.[1]

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Bell was assigned to the following committees:

2020-2021

Bell was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Bell was assigned to the following committees:

2016 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:

Virginia committee assignments, 2016
• Counties, Cities and Towns
• Militia, Police and Public Safety

Elections

2023

See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2023

John Bell did not file to run for re-election.

2019

See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2019

General election

General election for Virginia State Senate District 13

John Bell defeated Geary Higgins in the general election for Virginia State Senate District 13 on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of John Bell
John Bell (D)
 
54.3
 
44,762
Image of Geary Higgins
Geary Higgins (R)
 
45.6
 
37,645
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
95

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 82,502
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Virginia State Senate District 13

Geary Higgins defeated Ron Meyer Jr. in the Republican primary for Virginia State Senate District 13 on June 11, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Geary Higgins
Geary Higgins
 
65.3
 
6,609
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Ron Meyer Jr.
 
34.5
 
3,486
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
21

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,116
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2017

General election

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017.[2] Incumbent John Bell (D) defeated Subba Kolla (R) in the Virginia House of Delegates District 87 general election.[3]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 87 General Election, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png John Bell Incumbent 61.87% 18,234
     Republican Subba Kolla 38.13% 11,236
Total Votes 29,470
Source: Virginia Department of Elections
Races we watched
Races to Watch-2017-badge.png

Ballotpedia identified 13 races to watch in the Virginia House of Delegates 2017 elections: four Democratic seats and nine Republican seats. Based on analysis of these districts' electoral histories, these races had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could possibly have led to shifts in a chamber's partisan balance.

This district was a Race to Watch because the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2015. In 2015, John Bell (D) first won election to the seat. He received 49.9 percent of the vote and defeated his Republican challenger by 1.9 points. He had previously run in 2013 and was defeated by incumbent David Ramadan (R) by 1.0 points. District 87 was one of 51 Virginia House districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 87 by 25.6 points. Democrat Barack Obama won the seat in the 2012 presidential election by 13.8 points. As of 2017, District 87 covered parts of Loudoun County and parts of Prince William County.

Democratic primary election

Incumbent John Bell ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 87 Democratic primary.[4]

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.
Virginia House of Delegates, District 87 Democratic Primary, 2017
Candidate
Green check mark transparent.png John Bell Incumbent

Republican primary election

Subba Kolla ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 87 Republican primary.[5]

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.
Virginia House of Delegates, District 87 Republican Primary, 2017
Candidate
Green check mark transparent.png Subba Kolla

2015

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2015

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates 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.[6] John Bell was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Chuong Nguyen was unopposed in the Republican primary. Brian Suojanen ran as a Libertarian candidate. Bell defeated Nguyen and Suojanen in the general election.[7][8]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 87 General Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Bell 49.9% 8,203
     Republican Chuong Nguyen 48% 7,883
Total Votes 16,429

2013

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013

Bell ran in the 2013 election for Virginia House of Delegates District 87. Bell was unopposed in the June 11 Democratic primary. He was defeated by incumbent David Ramadan (R) in the general election on November 5, 2013.[9]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 87 General Election, 2013
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Ramadan Incumbent 50.3% 10,274
     Democratic John Bell 49.3% 10,087
     Other Write-in 0.4% 80
Total Votes 20,441

Race snapshot

See also: 2013 Elections Preview: Some seats may switch parties in the Virginia House of Delegates

Incumbent David Ramadan (R) won this seat in 2011 by only 51 votes, and donors have poured money into both sides of the race during Ramadan's bid for a second-term in this district on the western fringes of the Washington, DC, urban area. Bell, an Air Force veteran who ran for the House of Delegates in 2009, was endorsed by Democracy for America and aimed to win in this district that President Barack Obama (D) won with 56 percent of the vote in 2012. However, Governor Bob McDonnell (R) carried this district with 59 percent of the vote in 2009, and although both candidates had raised substantial sums of money, Ramadan had a significant fundraising advantage as of early September. Bell was the first of the two candidates to run a television advertisement, which went on the air in mid-September.[10][11][12][13][14]

2009

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2009

Bell ran as the Democratic candidate for District 13 in 2009. He was defeated by incumbent Robert G. Marshall.[15]

Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 13 (2009)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Robert G. Marshall (R) 22,982
John Bell (D) 14,472

Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

John Bell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.

2017

Bell’s campaign website highlighted the following issues:[16]

“

John thinks everyone should be able to see a doctor.

John has always supported expanding access to healthcare. That way, more people can get the care they need, including veterans and families who are working two or three jobs. As the father of a son recovering from addiction, fighting the opioid epidemic is a personal priority for John. John knows there are thousands of people in our area without health insurance. These are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends. And John knows it's not right.

He knows if more people get insurance, more people can get treatment and support. If more people see a doctor, they will spend less time in the emergency room or hospital. That will lower your premiums and save your family thousands of dollars. John has helped cut millions of dollars in waste from state government, which helps us focus on our priorities and values.

John understands that women are not always treated fairly.

John is determined to fight for a tougher equal pay for equal work law in Virginia. John was raised by a single mother and is the proud father of two daughters and two granddaughters. He knows women are still not treated equally and are often disrespected. As our Delegate, he will work to enforce current equal pay laws and strengthen these laws by making penalties tougher. John will always fight for what is right.

John also believes women should be respected and able to make their own healthcare decisions. He voted against defunding Planned Parenthood and against closing health clinics. He has always and will always support a woman's right to choose and guaranteed access to birth control.

John knows families are worried about their children's safety.

As a veteran who has carried a gun in combat zones, John recognizes dangerous weapons aren't toys. That's why John had the conviction to fight against a bill making it easier to buy bazookas, hand grenades and flamethrowers.

John strongly believes in responsible gun safety reforms and will never put your children in jeopardy by allowing guns on school campuses. John fully supports common sense gun laws like background checks on all gun purchases.

Education is more than a talking point for John.

With five children and three school-age grandchildren of his own, John knows firsthand how important it is for our children to get a quality education. He believes every child deserves access to good public schools, and will work to put resources in our classrooms where they can do the most good. John believes a good education at an early age is the foundation of a good future, and he won't stop until every school in our area has full-day kindergarten. John knows we send more tax dollars to Richmond than any other region, but our schools still don't have the funding they need to fully support our students. John will work to bring more of our money back to Northern Virginia so our children can experience the world-class education they deserve.

John was the first person in his family to graduate from a four-year college. He served in the U.S. Air Force while attending college at night. It wasn't easy, but the GI Bill helped him achieve his dream in return for his service. This experience has inspired John to make it easier for more people to go to college. That's why he is working to find a state solution to the college debt crisis by forgiving some student loan debt in exchange for community service. Too many students are being crushed under the weight of student loans, and John is committed to finding workable solutions.

John looks for ways to cut waste in order to focus on our priorities.

John served in the Air Force for 26 years and became a budget-cutting expert, protecting our country and eliminating millions of dollars in waste to save taxpayers money. As Delegate, he will continue to cut government waste so we can focus on our priorities like schools and our quality of life. [17]

”

2013

Bell’s website highlighted the following campaign themes:[18]

  • Budget
Excerpt: "As an Air Force Finance Officer, John received commendations and awards for cutting waste and making things run more efficiently, including eliminating a two hundred million dollar budget deficit. As Delegate, John will use his expertise to streamline government, cut waste, and save taxpayer dollars so we can focus on what matters to Northern Virginia - strong schools that ensure our kids are prepared for the jobs of the future, a sustainable long-term transportation plan that gets Northern Virginia its fair share, and a strong economy that encourages job creation and growth."
  • Transportation
Excerpt: "Fixing our transportation issues will be one of John’s top priorities. John believes we need to come together to solve this issue and develop sustainable long-term transportation plan that gets Northern Virginia its fair share. He’ll work to make sure we get the most out of every dollar we spend by finding efficiencies and focusing on projects that make the most impact."
  • Education
Excerpt: "As the father of five children and a high school coach, John knows education is the key to future economic success and the success of our entire region. He'll work to make sure teachers are qualified and push for improved teacher training, especially in science and math, so our children are prepared to succeed in the 21st century."
  • Jobs and the Economy
Excerpt: "In order to protect and create jobs in Northern Virginia we need to continue to attract new businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. That means having a state with a highly educated and skilled workforce as well as infrastructure to support the growing population and maintain a high quality of life. John will also fight to make sure that the Commonwealth is welcoming to people of all backgrounds so employers are excited about moving or starting their businesses here."
  • Women's Health
Excerpt: "John strongly believes that medical decisions, like the choice to use contraception, are personal and not something the politicians in Richmond should be involved in. John is strongly pro-choice."

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, State legislative scorecards in Virginia

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 scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2023.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2022.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2021.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2020.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2019.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2018.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2017.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2016.

Endorsements

2017

In 2017, Bell’s endorsements included the following:[19]

  • Former Vice President Joe Biden (D)[20]
  • AFL-CIO
  • Virginia Professional Fire Fighters

2013

In 2013, Bell’s endorsements included the following:

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Bell and his wife, Margaret, have five children. They currently reside in South Riding, Virginia.[1]

See also

2019 Elections

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External links

Personal

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 About, Bell for Virginia," accessed May 17, 2013
    2. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
    3. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 November General Unofficial Results," accessed November 7, 2017
    4. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Democratic Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
    5. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Republican Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
    6. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
    7. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 Primary election results," accessed September 1, 2015
    8. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed September 1, 2015
    9. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013
    10. ↑ Democracy for America, "Bell for Delegate," accessed October 3, 2013
    11. ↑ Daily Kos, "A look at the 2013 Virginia House of Delegates Elections," April 11, 2013
    12. ↑ University of Virginia Center for Politics, Sabato's Crystal Ball, "Republicans Certain to Retain Control of Virginia House of Delegates," August 8, 2013
    13. ↑ Virginia Public Access Project, "House of Delegates District 87," accessed October 4, 2013
    14. ↑ The Loudoun Times, "Ramadan opponent, Bell, hits the airwaves," September 23, 2013
    15. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2009 General Election Official Results," accessed May 17, 2013
    16. ↑ johnbellfordelegate.com, "Values," accessed August 30, 2017
    17. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    18. ↑ John Bell for Delegate, "On the Issues," accessed September 18, 2013(Dead link)
    19. ↑ johnbellfordelegate.com, "The Latest," accessed August 30, 2017
    20. ↑ The Washington Post, "Biden endorses Danica Roem, four other Va. Democrats in House races," October 17, 2017
    21. ↑ Bell for Delegate, "Endorsed by Democracy for America!" February 8, 2013 (dead link)
    22. ↑ PR Web, "Women's Strike Force Announces First Fund Distribution to Virginia House of Delegates Candidates for November Race," August 9, 2013
    23. ↑ NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Blog, "Pro-Choice Candidate Profile: John Bell, District 87," September 17, 2013
    24. ↑ LGBT Democrats of Virginia PAC, "LGBT Democrats of Virginia PAC Endorse 30 for House of Delegates," accessed September 18, 2013
    25. ↑ The Sierra Club, "Sierra Club Endorsed Candidates for the House of Delegates," August 26, 2013
    26. ↑ Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, "Virginia Planned Parenthood Organizations Endorse John Bell for Delegate in the 87th House District," accessed September 18, 2013

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Richard Black (R)     		Virginia State Senate District 13
    2020-2024    		 Succeeded by
    Lashrecse Aird (D)
    Preceded by
    -     		Virginia House of Delegates District 87
    2016-2020    		 Succeeded by
    Suhas Subramanyam (D)


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