Todd Gilbert

Todd Gilbert
Gilbert in 2024
Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
Incumbent
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
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2006
Preceded by	Allen Louderback
Constituency	15th district (2006–2024) 33rd district (2024–present)
Personal details
Born	Christopher Todd Gilbert (1970-10-19) 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Committee assignments

• 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.

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	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	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	15,156	98.05
		Write Ins		301	1.94
Nov 3, 2009	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	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	13,617	97.85
		Write Ins		299	2.14
Jun 11, 2013	Republican primary	C. Todd Gilbert		3,661	92.10
		Mark W. Prince		314	7.90
Nov 5, 2013	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	17,376	96.60
		Write Ins		615	3.40
Nov 3, 2015	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	16,102	97.90
		Write Ins		350	2.10
Nov 7, 2017	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	19,284	94.30
		Write Ins		1,171	5.70
Nov 5, 2019	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	18,914	74.40
		Beverly Harrison	Democratic	6,493	25.50
		Write Ins		31	0.10
Nov 2, 2021	General	C. Todd Gilbert	Republican	26,613	77.69
		Emily Scott	Democratic	7,601	22.19
		Write Ins		41	0.12

External links

• "Todd Gilbert". Virginia Public Access Project. (campaign finance)
• "Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock)". Richmond Sunlight.
• "Election Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-04-29.