Rob Bell
| Rob Bell | ||
 | ||
| Virginia House of Delegates District 58 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| Tenure | ||
| 2002 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| 2018 | ||
| Years in position | 15 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Report an officeholder change | ||
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $17,640/year | |
| Per diem | $196/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | June 13, 2017 | |
| First elected | 2001 | |
| Term limits | None | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | University of Virginia | |
| J.D. | University of Virginia School of Law, 1995 | |
| Personal | ||
| Date of birth | 04/23/1967 | |
| Place of birth | Palo Alto, CA | |
| Profession | Attorney | |
| Religion | Methodist | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Personal website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
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Biography
Bell earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1988 and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1995. Bell's professional experience includes working as an attorney, state prosecutor, and legal representative.
Bell ran unsuccessfully for attorney general of Virginia in 2013, losing to State Sen. Mark Obenshain at the Republican primary nominating convention on May 18, 2013.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:
| Virginia Committee Assignments, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Commerce and Labor | ||||
| • Courts of Justice, Vice-Chair | ||||
| • Health, Welfare and Institutions | ||||
2015 legislative session
In the 2015 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:
| Virginia Committee Assignments, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Commerce and Labor | ||||
| • Courts of Justice, Vice-Chair | ||||
| • Health, Welfare and Institutions | ||||
2014 legislative session
In the 2014 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:
| Virginia Committee Assignments, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Commerce and Labor | ||||
| • Courts of Justice, Vice-Chair | ||||
| • Health, Welfare and Institutions | ||||
2012-2013
In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:
| Virginia Committee Assignments, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Commerce and Labor | ||||
| • Courts of Justice, Vice-Chair | ||||
| • Health, Welfare and Institutions | ||||
| • Privileges and Elections | ||||
2010-2011
In the 2010-2011 legislative session, Bell served on the following committees:
| Virginia Committee Assignments, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Courts of Justice | ||||
| • Health, Welfare and Institutions | ||||
| • Privileges and Elections | ||||
| • Rules | ||||
Issues
Campaign themes
As of August 2017, Bell's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[3]
| “ |
Better Schools Rob and Jessica live in Albemarle County, and their children Robbie and Evie attend school there. Jessica is a former high school English teacher who is currently taking time off to raise Robbie and Evie. Rob supports educational excellence and giving parents choices. He was House patron of the Constitutional Amendment that would bring more public charter schools to Virginia. He also supports scholarships for disadvantaged children in underperforming schools and has led the fight for the “Tebow Bill” that would give home schooled students additional options. In addition, like any parents, the Bells understand the importance of student safety. Rob has written new laws that:
Defending the Second Administration Rob Bell has a lifetime ‘A’ rating from the NRA and has always stood up for the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens and sportsmen. Rob has never voted against Virginians’ gun rights, and he never will. Rob Bell has a concealed carry permit, is a gun owner, and is a longtime member of the Rivanna Rifle & Pistol Club.
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Rob worked for five years as an assistant Commonwealth’s attorney, prosecuting more than 100 cases of domestic abuse. As a delegate, Rob has fought for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including his recent efforts to improve safety for students at Virginia colleges. He has written laws to:
Economy and Jobs Rob believes the best way to create jobs is to promote a business-friendly climate where private employers can thrive and grow. He opposes needless and expensive overregulation of Virginia companies, and in past elections has received support from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. As a Delegate, Rob has voted to eliminate the Virginia death tax so that farmers and small business owners can pass on their legacies to their children. He has supported a constitutional amendment to protect Virginia’s right-to-work law, which helps keep Virginia attractive to new employers. Rob also opposed “card check” proposals that would eliminate the secret ballot in union organizing. He has received a 100% voting score from the NFIB for 2014-15, and was named a Champion of Free Enterprise for his “A” rating from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, he also received the Chamber’s Excellence in Education and Workforce Training Award In 2012, he received the Virginia Retail Merchants Association “Legislator of the Year” Award. Family Values Rob Bell is pro-life. In past elections, he has received a 100% score and has been endorsed by the Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL). (The VSHL has not made an endorsement for the 2017 election.) Rob also received a 100% score and was named a Defender of Liberty by the American Conservative Union. Rob supports the traditional definition of marriage, and voted for Virginia’s Constitutional marriage amendment. Rob supports the ability of parents to make educational choices for their children. In addition to supporting tax credits for school tuitions, he strongly supports home schooling. In 2006, the Home Educators Association of Virginia gave him their legislative award for “Outstanding Leadership in Advancing the Rights of Home-Educating Parents” Rob has repeatedly patroned the bill to expand access for home school students who wish to participate in sports at their local high school (the “Tebow Bill”). [4] |
” |
2011
Bell’s website highlighted the following campaign themes:
- Mental health reform
Excerpt: "established clear lines of responsibility and oversight over those receiving outpatient care," "revised standard for involuntary commitment," and "colleges can inform parents when their child might seriously harm himself or others."
- Better schools
Excerpt: "Ban criminal sex offenders from schools during school hours," "Require schools to establish bullying prevention programs," "Require schools to notify parents when a child is a victim of a crime," and "Require additional background checks for school teachers."
- Public safety
Excerpt: "New drunk driving laws crack down on repeat offenders and 'super drunk' drivers," "Laws to mandate jail for drunks who drive with children in the car," "Laws to promote prosecution of child pornographers and sexual predators," and "Laws to keep violent sexual predators off of school property during school hours."
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.
Elections
2017
General election
Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates will take place in 2017. All 100 house seats are up for election. The general election will take 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.[5] Kellen Squire (D) and incumbent Rob Bell (R) are running in the Virginia House of Delegates District 58 general election.Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 58 General Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Kellen Squire | |
| Republican | Rob Bell Incumbent | |
Democratic primary election
Kellen Squire ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 58 Democratic primary.[6]| Virginia House of Delegates, District 58 Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
 Kellen Squire | ||
Republican primary election
Incumbent Rob Bell ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 58 Republican primary.[7]| Virginia House of Delegates, District 58 Republican Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Rob Bell Incumbent | ||
2015
Elections for the office of 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.[8] Incumbent Rob Bell was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[9][10]
2013
Bell won re-election in the 2013 election for Virginia House of Delegates District 58. Bell ran unopposed in the June 11th Republican Primary. He was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 5, 2013.[11]
- See also: Virginia attorney general election, 2013
Bell ran for the Republican nomination for attorney general in 2013.[12] Bell lost to Harrisonburg State Senator Mark Obenshain at the Republican Party of Virginia's statewide primary nominating convention on May 17-18. The general election took place on November 5, 2013.
Race background
In March 2013, Governing magazine rated Virginia's open attorney general seat as "vulnerable" heading into the 2013-2014 elections because incumbent Republican Ken Cuccinelli was not running for re-election.[13]
The race to replace Cuccinelli began at the primary nomination stage; both Republican convention and Democratic election candidates drew primary contests. On May 18, two "strong fiscal and social conservatives"[13]—state Sen. Mark Obenshain and state Rep. Rob Bell—competed for delegate votes at the Republican Party of Virginia's closed nominating convention, which Obenshain won.[14] The nominee's late father, GOP politician Richard Obenshain, died in a plane crash during his 1978 campaign for U.S. Senate. Obenshain faced state Sen. Mark Herring in the general election. Herring defeated former Assistant U.S. Attorney for Virginia Justin Fairfax in the Democratic primary election, which took place on June 11, 2013.[15][13]
Although Obenshain was considered the early front-runner, polls showed Herring leading by a very slim margin in late October 2013. One week before election day, at least two influential backers—Planned Parenthood and Independence USA PAC—hoped to widen the gap with roughly one million dollars worth of media spots lampooning Obenshain for his past support of a "personhood" amendment, which would have banned birth control and abortions regardless of the circumstances," in addition to his stance against increased background checks on prospective gun owners. Independence USA PAC was heavily driven by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The PAC had already invested millions into ads hammering "far-right" Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli for his affiliation with the National Rifle Assocation (NRA). The buys against Obenshain sought to lump the lesser-known attorney general contender together with Cuccinelli, who was the most recognizable, and possibly most troubled, candidate appearing on the party's statewide ticket in 2013. Meanwhile, the NRA went on the counterattack and unleashed a $500,000 anti-Herring ad into targeted Virginia markets.[16][17] The NRA's assistance paled in comparison, however, to the $2.6 million infusion from the Republican State Leadership Committee into the effort to elect Obenshain, whom the committee viewed as the only hope for preventing Democrats from scoring a clean sweep of the state-row races in 2013.[18]
2011
On November 8, 2011, Bell won re-election to District 58 of the Virginia House of Delegates. He was uncontested in the August 23 primary and ran unopposed the November 8 general election.[19]
2009
In 2009, Bell was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.[20]
| Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 58 (2009) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Rob Bell (R)
|
18,402 | |||
| Cynthia Neff (D) | 8,948 | |||
Delegate Bell at a tax day tea party |
Campaign donors
2011
In 2011, Bell received $405,559 in campaign donations. The top contributors are listed below.[21]
| Virginia House of Delegates 2011 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to Rob Bell's campaign in 2011 | |
| Piedmont Leadership PAC | 50,000 |
| Gilliam Sr, Richard B | 40,000 |
| Gilliam Sr, Richard B | 12,500 |
| Galbraith, John W | 10,000 |
| Fort Hill Investors LLC | 7,500 |
| Total Raised in 2011 | 405559 |
2009
The top five donors to Bell's 2009 campaign:[22]
| Contributor | 2009 total |
|---|---|
| Piedmont Leadership PAC | $314,544 |
| Richard B Gilliam Sr. | $30,000 |
| R. Ted Weschler | $16,000 |
| Barbara J. Fried | $10,000 |
| Fort Hill Limited Partnership | $10,000 |
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.
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.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 11 through February 25.
|
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 health 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.
- Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation: 2016 Legislative Scorecard
- House Scorecard - Senate Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on 11 bills chosen by the Virginia Tea Party Patriots.
- House Scorecard - Senate Scorecard
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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Endorsements
2013
In 2013, Bell's endorsements included the following:
Albemarle County: Sheriff Chip Harding Honorable Ken Boyd, County Supervisor Honorable Rodney Thomas, County Supervisor Amelia County: Honorable Jim Bennett, County Supervisor Bland County: Honorable Nick Asbury, County Supervisor & Republican Committee Chair Botetourt County: Delegate Christopher Head Buchanan County: Honorable Roger Rife, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Campbell County: Delegate Matt Fariss Caroline County: Delegate Robert Orrock Jeff Sili, Republican Committee Chair Chesapeake: Honorable Rick West, City Councilor Honorable Nancy Parr, Commonwealth’s Attorney Dr. John de Triquet, Vice Mayor Honorable Christie New Craig, Vice Chairman, Chesapeake School Board Chesterfield County: Delegate Roxann Robinson Sheriff Dennis Proffitt City of Hopewell: Sheriff Greg Anderson Colonial Heights: Delegate Kirk Cox Honorable C. Scott Davis, Mayor Danville: Delegate Daniel Marshall III Emporia: Carla Harris, Republican Committee Chair Woody Harris, Emporia City Council Fairfax: Delegate David Albo Delegate Thomas Rust Honorable John C. Cook, County Supervisor Honorable John Peterson, Director NOVA SWCD Fauquier County: Honorable Lee Sherbeyn, County Supervisor Fluvanna County: Honorable Jeff Haislip, Commonwealth’s Attorney Debbie Rittenhouse, Republican Committee Chair Franklin County: Delegate Charles Poindexter Giles County: Mae Midkiff, Republican Committee Chair Grayson County: State Senator Bill Carrico Greene County: Sheriff Steven Smith Gary Lowe, Republican Committee Chair Halifax County: Delegate James Edmunds Hanover County: Delegate Christopher Peace Honorable Trip Chalkley, Commonwealth’s Attorney Sheriff Dave Hines Honorable Wayne Hazzard, County Supervisor Former Delegate Frank Hargrove Honorable Sean Davis, County Supervisor Henrico County: Delegate John O’Bannon Former Delegate Bill Janis Sheriff Mike Wade Isle of Wight County: Delegate Rick Morris Bill Coburn, Republican Committee Chair Loudoun County: Delegate Tag Greason Delegate Joe May Delegate David Ramadan Louisa County: State Senator Tom Garrett Bob Arment, Republican Committee Chair Lunenburg County: Delegate Thomas Wright Jr. Mike Hankins, Republican Committee Chair Madison County: Delegate Edward Scott Honorable George Webb, Commonwealth’s Attorney William Harvill, Republican Committee Chair Manassas City: Steven Thomas, Republican Committee Chair Newport News: Hazel Call, Hampton Roads Republican Women Chair Norfolk: Joyce Mathews, Republican Committee Secretary Nottoway County Ronald L. Chipper, Republican Committee Chair Orange County: Doug Rogers, Republican Committee Chair Sheriff Mark Amos Honorable Diana Wheeler, Commonwealth’s Attorney Petersburg: Debra Mallory, 1st Vice Chair Tri-City Republican Women Pittsylvania County: Delegate Donald Merricks Chris Carter, Former Republican Committee Chair Poquoson: Delegate Gordon Helsel, Jr. Paul Keddell, Republican Committee Chair Portsmouth: Honorable Ted Lamb, School Board Powhatan County: Delegate Lee Ware Jr. Prince George County: Barbara Tabb, Former Republican Committee Chair Prince William County: Delegate Richard Anderson Delegate Jackson Miller Honorable Peter Candland, County Supervisor Richmond: Jerilynn Grigsby, Tuckahoe Republican Women Chair Roanoke County: Former Delegate William Fralin Scott County: Delegate Terry Kilgore Spotsylvania County: Delegate Mark Cole Stafford County: Delegate Mark Dudenhefer Delegate William Howell, Speaker, House of Delegates Tazewell County: Delegate James W. Morefield Virginia Beach: Delegate Salvatore Iaquinto Delegate Barry Knight Delegate Harry Purkey Delegate Christopher Stolle Delegate Ronald Villanueva Honorable Patrick Salyer, School Board Member Washington County: Delegate Israel O’Quinn Westmoreland County: Delegate Margaret Ransone |
Personal
Bell and his wife, Jessica, have one child.
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term "Rob + Bell + Virginia + House"
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See also
- Virginia State Legislature
- Virginia House of Delegates
- Virginia House of Delegates Committees
- Virginia state legislative districts
External links
- Rob Bell - Official Attorney General Campaign Website
- Delegate Rob Bell official website
- Virginia House of Delegates - Rep. Bell
- Profile from Open States
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001
- Richmond Sunlight profile
- Delegate Bell Facebook profile
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Post, "Del. Bell to run for Virginia attorney general," December 5, 2011
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Va. GOP settles on Cuccinelli, Obenshain and Jackson for November ballot," May 19, 2013
- ↑ delegaterobbell.com, "Issues," accessed August 22, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributed to the original source.
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Democratic Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Republican Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 Primary election results," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ Rob Bell for AG, "Official Campaign Website 2013," accessed December 10, 2012
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Governing, "The 2013-2014 Attorneys General Races: Who's Vulnerable?" March 25, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Va. GOP settles on Cuccinelli, Obenshain and Jackson for November ballot," May 19, 2013
- ↑ Blue Virginia, "Virginia Primary Election Results Live Blog," June 11, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Michael Bloomberg hits Virginia attorney general candidate," October 29, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Planned Parenthood targets Mark Obenshain in ad," October 29, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "National Republican group gives an additional $660K to Obenshain campaign for Virginia AG," October 26, 2013
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2011 General Election Official Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2011 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2009 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 15, 2014
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