Thomas Garrett, Jr.
| Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district | |
|
Taking office January 3, 2017 | |
| Succeeding | Robert Hurt |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 22nd district | |
|
Assumed office January 11, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph K. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
March 27, 1972 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Dana Garrett (m. 1998, div. 2009) Flanna Garrett (m. 2016) |
| Children | Carolyn, Laura |
| Residence | Buckingham County, Virginia |
| Alma mater | University of Richmond |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Christian |
| Website | tomgarrettforcongress.com |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | US Army |
| Years of service | 1995–2000 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 214th Field Artillery Brigade |
Thomas A. Garrett (born March 27, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American politician and former local prosecutor. He is the United States Representative-elect for Virginia's 5th congressional district. A Republican, Garrett formerly represented the 22nd District in the Virginia Senate.[1]
Early life and family
Thomas Garrett was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Thomas Alexander Garrett, Sr. and his wife, Lois. Garrett is a graduate of Louisa County High School and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Richmond.[2] He resides with his wife, Flanna, and two daughters, Carolyn and Laura, in Scottsville, Virginia.
Military career
Garrett served six years in the Army as a Combat Arms Officer. https://www.tomgarrettforcongress.com/about/. As a platoon leader, he led over fifty US soldiers and four howitzer sections in Bosnia during Operation Joint Guard and Joint Endeavor. His platoon won three major artillery competitions—top gun section, top fire direction, and top maintenance section—in the same rating period.
Garrett earned the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal on multiple occasions, as well as the NATO Medal.
Political career
Commonwealth's Attorney
Garrett served as an Assistant Attorney General under Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell. In 2007, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Louisa County.
State Senate
After the General Assembly redistricted the State Senate as required by the Virginia Constitution in 2011, Garrett decided to run in an open seat. The 22nd District was open due to the incumbent Republican Ralph K. Smith's home in Roanoke being drawn into another district.
In the Republican primary, Garrett came in first in a 5-person field with nearly 26% of the vote and a margin of fewer than 200 votes.[3] During his time in office, he served on the General Laws and Technology, Courts of Justice, Education and Health, and Privileges and Elections committees. He received the Freshman Legislator of the Year Award in 2012 from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Defender of Liberty Award from the American Conservative Union in 2013.
5th District Congressional Run
On May 14, 2016, he won the GOP nomination to represent Virginia's 5th Congressional District in Congress after three ballots at the Republican nominating convention[4] and soundly defeated Democratic nominee Jane Dittmar on November 8th by a 59.6% to 40.4% majority.
References
- ↑ "Richmond Times Dispatch". May 14, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
- ↑ Garrett to Challenge Short for Louisa Post, The Central Virginian, June 21, 2007.
- ↑ 2011 Results, Virginia State Board of Elections
- ↑ Rhor, Alex (May 14, 2016). "Sen. Tom Garrett wins 5th District Republican nomination on third ballot".
External links
| Senate of Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ralph K. Smith |
Virginia Senate, District 22 2012 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |