# Todd Gilbert

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 |
| Nov 8, 2005 | General | J K Blubaugh | Democratic | 7,721 | 35.42 |
| Nov 8, 2005 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 26 | 0.12 |
| Allen Louderback retired; seat stayed Republican ||||
| Nov 6, 2007 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 15,156 | 98.05 |
| Nov 6, 2007 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 301 | 1.94 |
| Nov 3, 2009 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 16,168 | 69.26 |
| Nov 3, 2009 | General | John D. Lesinski | Democratic | 7,155 | 30.65 |
| Nov 3, 2009 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 19 | 0.08 |
| Nov 8, 2011 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 13,617 | 97.85 |
| Nov 8, 2011 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 299 | 2.14 |
| Jun 11, 2013 | Republican primary | C. Todd Gilbert | C. Todd Gilbert | 3,661 | 92.10 |
| Jun 11, 2013 | Republican primary | Mark W. Prince | Mark W. Prince | 314 | 7.90 |
| Nov 5, 2013 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 17,376 | 96.60 |
| Nov 5, 2013 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 615 | 3.40 |
| Nov 3, 2015 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 16,102 | 97.90 |
| Nov 3, 2015 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 350 | 2.10 |
| Nov 7, 2017 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 19,284 | 94.30 |
| Nov 7, 2017 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 1,171 | 5.70 |
| Nov 5, 2019 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 18,914 | 74.40 |
| Nov 5, 2019 | General | Beverly Harrison | Democratic | 6,493 | 25.50 |
| Nov 5, 2019 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 31 | 0.10 |
| Nov 2, 2021 | General | C. Todd Gilbert | Republican | 26,613 | 77.69 |
| Nov 2, 2021 | General | Emily Scott | Democratic | 7,601 | 22.19 |
| Nov 2, 2021 | General | Write Ins | Write Ins | 41 | 0.12 |