Christopher Todd Gilbert (born October 19, 1970) is an American politician and attorney. He previously served as the 57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2022 to 2024. He has been a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2006, representing the 15th district in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, made up of Page and Shenandoah Counties, plus parts of Rockingham and Warren Counties.[1]
Todd Gilbert | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gilbert in 2024 | |
| Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Don Scott |
| In office January 8, 2020 – January 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Eileen Filler-Corn |
| Succeeded by | Eileen Filler-Corn |
| 57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office January 12, 2022 – January 10, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Eileen Filler-Corn |
| Succeeded by | Don Scott |
| Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office January 10, 2018 – January 8, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Kirk Cox |
| Succeeded by | Charniele Herring |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Allen Louderback |
| Constituency | 15th district (2006–2024) 33rd district (2024–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Todd Gilbert October 19, 1970 Newton, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jennifer Wishon |
| Education | University of Virginia (BA) Southern Methodist University (JD) |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
Gilbert was born in Newton, Texas. He graduated in 1989 from Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia, where he served as student body president and played three varsity sports. He attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in government in 1993. While at UVA, he was a legislative intern in the Capitol Hill office of then U.S. Representative George Allen.[1]
Upon graduation, he attended the Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1996 and led the student body as president of the Student Bar Association. While at SMU Law, Gilbert won the school's annual mock trial competition and participated on the school's competitive mock trial team.[2]
Early career
Gilbert began his career as a full-time prosecutor. [when?] [citation needed]
Political career
Virginia House of Delegates
Elections
He was first elected to represent the 15th district in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005.
Tenure
In 2010, Gilbert was appointed to be Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Delegates.
Gilbert became the Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader on January 10, 2018, as Republicans maintained their majority following the 2017 elections. He was chosen by the House Republican Caucus following their decision to promote current House Majority Leader Kirk Cox to Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Following the 2019 Virginia House of Delegates election, Gilbert became the Minority Leader-designate following Democrats retaking the majority in the House of Delegates.[2]
When the Republicans regained control of the House of Delegates following the 2021 elections, Gilbert became Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Gilbert survived an attempt to oust him as Minority Leader after Republicans suffered losses in the 2023 elections and lost control of the chamber to Democrats.[3]
Committee assignments[4]
- Agriculture
- Finance
- Rules
Other assignments
- Virginia State Crime Commission
Personal life
Todd Gilbert is married to Jennifer Wishon Gilbert. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Outside of his political functions in Richmond, Gilbert also has a private law practice.[1]
Awards and honors
Some of Gilbert's awards and honors:
- Virginia YMCA "Service to Youth Award"
- Family Foundation "Legislator of the Year"
- Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys "Champion of Justice Award"
- Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police "Legislator of the Year"
- Virginia State Police Association "Legislator of the Year"
- American Conservative Union "Defender of Liberty"
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce "Champion of Free Enterprise"
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce "Advocate in Legal Reform Award"
Electoral history
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia House of Delegates, 15th district | |||||
| Nov 8, 2005[5] | General | C T Gilbert | Republican | 14,050 | 64.46 |
| J K Blubaugh | Democratic | 7,721 | 35.42 | ||
| Write Ins | 26 | 0.12 | |||
| Allen Louderback retired; seat stayed Republican | |||||
| Nov 6, 2007[6] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 15,156 | 98.05 |
| Write Ins | 301 | 1.94 | |||
| Nov 3, 2009[7] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 16,168 | 69.26 |
| John D. Lesinski | Democratic | 7,155 | 30.65 | ||
| Write Ins | 19 | 0.08 | |||
| Nov 8, 2011[8] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 13,617 | 97.85 |
| Write Ins | 299 | 2.14 | |||
| Jun 11, 2013[9] | Republican primary | C. Todd Gilbert | 3,661 | 92.10 | |
| Mark W. Prince | 314 | 7.90 | |||
| Nov 5, 2013[10] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 17,376 | 96.60 |
| Write Ins | 615 | 3.40 | |||
| Nov 3, 2015[11] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 16,102 | 97.90 |
| Write Ins | 350 | 2.10 | |||
| Nov 7, 2017[12] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 19,284 | 94.30 |
| Write Ins | 1,171 | 5.70 | |||
| Nov 5, 2019[13] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 18,914 | 74.40 |
| Beverly Harrison | Democratic | 6,493 | 25.50 | ||
| Write Ins | 31 | 0.10 | |||
| Nov 2, 2021[14] | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 26,613 | 77.69 |
| Emily Scott | Democratic | 7,601 | 22.19 | ||
| Write Ins | 41 | 0.12 | |||
Notes
External links
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