Summary

Current Position: State Delegate of District 81 since 2009
Affiliation: Republican

Barry D. Knight was born and raised in Virginia and has worked his whole life in agri-business with a strong dedication to supporting the local economy and protecting citizens’ rights. Barry’s solid work ethic and common sense approach has helped him develop one of the most productive hog farming businesses in Hampton Roads.

Strongly committed to giving back to the community, Barry decided to focus his time on public service and now serves as the Delegate for Virginia’s 81st District in the Virginia General Assembly.

OnAir Post: Barry Knight

Twitter

About

Barry Knight 1

Source: Campaign page

Barry D. Knight was born and raised in Virginia and has worked his whole life in agri-business with a strong dedication to supporting the local economy and protecting citizens’ rights. Barry’s solid work ethic and common sense approach has helped him develop one of the most productive hog farming businesses in Hampton Roads. Strongly committed to giving back to the community, Barry decided to focus his time on public service and now serves as the Delegate for Virginia’s 81st District in the Virginia General Assembly.

Barry began working odd jobs at just 14 years of age to help support his family. He worked on a neighbor’s farm and also spent time as a long haul trucker until he saved enough money to purchase his own farm. Over the years, Barry turned a small plot of land into a thriving business, Barry D. Knight Farms.

Barry served as the president of the Tidewater Pork Producers from 1984 to 1990, and in 1995, he was appointed to the Virginia Pork Board by Governor George Allen and re-appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore. Barry is the vice-president of the Virginia Beach Farm Bureau, a former chairman of the Southern States Cooperative, and former secretary of the Creeds Ruritans.

Experience

Work Experience

  • Farmer

Education


  • Kempsville High School

Awards

Virginia FREE, No. 1 Pro Business Legislator
American Farm Bureau, Virginia Young Farmer of the Year (1983)
Virginia Beach Jaycees, Outstanding Young Farmer (1984)
National Pork Producers Council, Pork All-American (1989)
City of Virginia Beach, Outstanding Agriculture Operation (1994), Man of the Year in Agriculture (1998)
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Clean Water Farm Award (1998), Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award, Chowan River (1999)
Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Champion of Free Enterprise (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Chairman’s Award (2017)
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, Legislator of the Year (2016)
Chesapeake Farmers, Outstanding Service Award (2017)
Virginia Aviation Business Association, Advocacy Plaque of Appreciation (2018)
Virginia League of Conservation Voters,  Legislative Leadership Award (2018)
Dr. James C. Wright Conservation Honorary Award (Virginia Beach Angler’s Club)  (2019)
Free Enterprise Award (2019)

Personal

  • Birth Year: 1954
  • Place of Birth: Arlington, VA
  • Gender: Male
  • Race(s): Caucasian
  • Religion: Baptist
  • Spouse: Paula Jane Whitehurst
  • Children: K. Hunter, Kyle, and Forrest

Membership & Affiliation

  •  Oak Grove Baptist Church (Sunday school teacher, deacon)
    FACT Fund Advisory Commission
    Virginia Beach Planning Commission (former member, chairman)
    Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District (board of directors)
    Virginia Beach Farm Bureau (vice president)
    Military Aviation Museum (board of directors)
    Southern States Cooperative-Chesapeake Association (former chairman)
    Virginia Pork Industry Board
    Back Bay/Pungo Civic League
    Women’s league softball coach
    Little League baseball coach

Contact

Legislative Assistant: Andrew Damon
Administrative Assistant During Session: Martha Anderson

Email:

Offices

Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1081

District Office
1852 Mill Landing Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Office:
Phone: (757) 426-6387

Web

Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, Facebook

Politics

Source: none

Recent Elections

2019

Barry D. Knight (R)11,57752.11%
Lenard T. Myers II (D)10,60747.75%
Write-In (Write-in)310.14%
TOTAL22,215

2017

Barry Knight (R)13,16258.9%
Kimberly Anne Tucker (D)13,16240.9%
Write In (Write-in)400.2%
TOTAL26,364

Finances

KNIGHT, BARRY D has run in 6 races for public office, winning 5 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $1,428,822

Source: Follow the Money

Committees

Committees

General Laws
Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Appropriations
Rules

Subcommittees

Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources – Subcommittee #1
Chair: Appropriations – Public Safety Subcommittee
Chair: General Laws – Subcommittee #3
Chair: Rules – Subcommittee #1
Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources – Subcommittee #4
Appropriations – Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Technology Subcommittee
Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
Appropriations – General Government and Capital Outlay Subcommittee
General Laws – Subcommittee #1

Appointments

Voting Record

See: Vote Smart

New Legislation

Source: Ballotpedia

Issues

Source: Campaign page

The Virginia Way

If you’re like me, you’re fed up with Washington politics and unelected Washington bureaucrats negatively affecting your way of life. I will put the 81st District ahead of all else. My family arrived on the second set of ships in Virginia, and I’m honored to continue being in the long line of Virginians as my ancestors were. I will do my best to rein in unnecessary regulations and make sure we keep Washington style politics out of Richmond! “I firmly believe the best way to uplift a fellow Virginian is for them to have the ability to have a job, which will solve many of our Commonwealth’s problems.”

Governance

Taxes

A rising tide raises all ships! Low taxes allow Virginians to have more money in their pockets to stimulate and grow the economy. I believe the citizens know how to spend their money better than the state, and I will work to lower taxes for the Commonwealth. It is our responsibility to all Virginians to balance the budget and be fiscally responsible.

Civil Rights

The Second Amendment

As a gun owner and sportsman, I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, and will fight to ensure our rights to bear arms is not infringed on in Richmond. I will oppose any legislation that diminishes these rights and makes you and your family less capable of protecting yourselves.

Economy

Education

Education for our youth is an investment in the future, and it is necessary to have a public education system that is set up for the student. Teachers must be held accountable in the classroom, and I encourage parental involvement in the entire process. I will make sure more tax dollars will be spent in the classroom and not on things that do not provide a learning atmosphere. Parents should have a say in the process, and a way to place their child in a prosperous school, not being forced to attend a failing school because of the zip code they live in. I will make sure college education is affordable, and also provide vocational paths for those that do not want to attend college and want to learn a trade. Students must be career ready when leaving the educational field.

Environment

Chesapeake Bay

I have been a fisherman for all of my life and I know the importance of ensuring that there is a commonsense, balanced approach to cleanliness of the Chesapeake Bay. I am a big supporter of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for farmers to provide incentives for environmentally sound practices. As a farmer myself, I have been awarded the Clean Water Award multiple times being recognized as a good steward of our waters.
The Menhaden are the most important fish of the sea, acting as both food for many trophy fish and as species that filters the bay. It is the only fish that is regulated by the General Assembly. I believe that the regulations should be controlled by scientists not by lobbyists and legislators.

Agriculture

The southern part of the 81st District is home to a vast amount of farmland and rural Virginians. As a hog farmer, I know firsthand the challenges to the community and how to be helpful in Richmond by advocating good legislation and stopping bad legislation. Farmers are the lifeblood of Virginia and I will work hard to ensure the voices of the 81st District are heard in Richmond.