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Matt Lohr
2022 - Present
2026
3
Matt Lohr is the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. He assumed office on January 15, 2022. His current term ends on January 15, 2026.
Lohr was appointed in January 2022 by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).[1]
He was appointed as the Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture by Governor Bob McDonnell on March 26, 2010 and served until December 2013.[2]
Lohr was a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He represented District 26 from 2005 until his resignation on April 30, 2010.
Biography
Matt Lohr earned a B.S. in agricultural teacher education from Virginia Tech in 1995. Lohr's career experience includes owning and operating Valley Pike Farm, Inc., and working as a motivational speaker with Lohr Leadership, the chief of the USDA National Resources Conservation Service, and the knowledge center director of Farm Credit of the Virginias.[3][4]
Political career
Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture (May 1, 2010-2013)
Lohr was appointed commissioner on March 16, 2010 and he officially began his duties on May 1, 2010.[5] He resigned from the position in mid-December 2013.
Virginia House of Delegates (2005-April 2010)
Lohr was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005.
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."[6]
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.[7]
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/Appointments
2010
Lohr was appointed as Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture by Governor Bob McDonnell on March 26, 2010.[2]
2009
| Delegate Lohr 2009 campaign announcement |
In 2009, Lohr was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He defeated Gene Hart, Jr. in the General Election.[8]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 26, General Election, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Matt Lohr Incumbent |
73.1% | 11,328 | |
| Democratic | Gene Hart, Jr. | 26.9% | 4,170 | |
| Total Votes | 15,498 | |||
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.
State legislative tenure
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.[9]
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
See also
| Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
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Officeholder Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ DNR Online, "Youngkin Taps Lohr As Secretary Of Agriculture And Forestry," accessed January 20, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington Post, "McDonnell appoints Lohr agriculture commissioner," March 16, 2010
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Matthew Lohr," accessed February 16, 2022
- ↑ Facebook, "Matt Lohr," accessed February 16, 2022
- ↑ Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, "About VDACS," accessed September 8, 2011
- ↑ Delegate Lohr Issues
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Delegate Lohr Issue Positions
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Bill Tracking - Legislation as Chief Patron
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry 2010-2013 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Virginia House of Delegates District 26 2005-2010 |
Succeeded by - |
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