Todd Gilbert
Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
Assumed office
January 10, 2024
Preceded byDon Scott
In office
January 8, 2020 – January 12, 2022
Preceded byEileen Filler-Corn
Succeeded byEileen Filler-Corn
57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
January 12, 2022 – January 10, 2024
Preceded byEileen Filler-Corn
Succeeded byDon Scott
Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
January 10, 2018 – January 8, 2020
Preceded byKirk Cox
Succeeded byCharniele Herring
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Assumed office
January 11, 2006
Preceded byAllen Louderback
Constituency15th district (2006–2024)
33rd district (2024–present)
Personal details
Born
Christopher Todd Gilbert

(1970-10-19) October 19, 1970
Newton, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJennifer Wishon
EducationUniversity of Virginia (BA)
Southern Methodist University (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Christopher Todd Gilbert (born October 19, 1970) is an American politician, attorney, and served as the 57th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. 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]

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.

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

DateElectionCandidatePartyVotes %
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

  1. 1 2 3 "Bio for C. Todd Gilbert". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  2. 1 2 Vozzella, Laura (2019-12-07). "Virginia Republicans look for a way out of the woods". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  3. ↑ "Virginia House Republicans stick with Todd Gilbert as their leader after election loss". AP News. 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  4. ↑ "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  5. ↑ "General Election- November 8, 2005". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  6. ↑ "November 6, 2007 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  7. ↑ "November 2009 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  8. ↑ "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  9. ↑ "Unofficial Results - Primary Election - June 11, 2013". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
  10. ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2013 House of Delegates General Election District 15". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  11. ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2015 House of Delegates General Election District 15". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  12. ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2017 House of Delegates General Election District 15". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  13. ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2019 House of Delegates General Election District 15". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  14. ↑ "2021 November General". results.elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
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