Israel O’Quinn

Israel O'Quinn

Summary

Current Position: State Delegate of District 5 since 2012
Affiliation: Republican

As a strong advocate for Southwest Virginia, Israel O’Quinn works to ensure the 5th District is well-represented in Richmond. Israel served as Deputy Majority Whip and his legislative committee assignments include Commerce and Labor, Privileges and Elections, as well as Militia, Police and Public Safety. He serves as the Chairman of Subcommittee Number Four in the Privileges and Elections Committee and he also serves as Chairman of Subcommittee Number Three in the Commerce and Labor Committee.

Israel is a member of the legislative Coal and Energy Commission and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

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About

Delegate Israel O’Quinn was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates on November 8, 2011. He represents the 5th House District which is comprised of Bristol City, Galax City, Grayson County, Smyth County (part) and Washington County (part).

As a strong advocate for Southwest Virginia, Israel works to ensure the 5th District is well-represented in Richmond. Israel serves as Deputy Majority Whip and his legislative committee assignments include Commerce and Labor, Privileges and Elections, as well as Militia, Police and Public Safety. He serves as the Chairman of Subcommittee Number Four in the Privileges and Elections Committee and he also serves as Chairman of Subcommittee Number Three in the Commerce and Labor Committee. Israel is a member of the legislative Coal and Energy Commission and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

As a citizen legislator, Israel is employed by K-VA-T Food Stores, the parent company of the Food City retail supermarket chain. He currently directs the company’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, in addition to chairing the company’s Energy Conservation Committee, which has implemented a number of energy conservation measures throughout the K-VA-T distribution center and numerous stores. Prior to joining the K-VA-T team in 2006, Israel served in various roles in government and campaigns. He spent two years in the office of Attorney General Jerry Kilgore and worked on a number of political campaigns, including those for Governor, Attorney General, US Senate, House of Delegates and various local offices.

Israel is Past Chairman of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, which has Five Star accreditation from the US Chamber of Commerce. Israel is a recipient of the The Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 award, as well as Emory & Henry College’s Young Alumnus of the Year award. While at Emory & Henry College, Israel played on the varsity baseball team and graduated with degrees in Political Science and History. Israel is also a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Glade Spring, Virginia.

Israel and his wife, Emily, reside in Washington County, Virginia. Emily works as a corporate communications professional and she is an avid supporter of community organizations at both the state and local levels. Over the years, her service on a number of boards has focused on various business and philanthropic initiatives including expanding educational opportunities for children and increasing access to the arts.

Experience

Work Experience

  • Businessman

Education

  • B.A., Political Science/History
    Emory & Henry College
    2002

Awards

Emory & Henry College, Young Alumnus of the Year (2006)
Business Journals, 40 Under 40 (2008)
Virginia Retail Merchants, Legislator of the Year (2014)
Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Business Advocate of the Year (2015)

Personal

  • Birth Year: 1980
  • Place of Birth: Abingdon, VA
  • Gender: Male
  • Race(s): Caucasian
  • Religion: Baptist
  • Spouse: Emily Lauren Gentry

Membership & Affiliation

Bristol Chamber of Commerce (former chairman)
Virginia Tobacco Commission (former commissioner)
Virginia Public Safety Foundation (board member)
Tennessee Valley Corridor (former board member)
Virginia Coal and Energy Commission
K-VA-T Food Stores Charitable Foundation (board member)
Food Marketing Institute (committee member)

Contact

Legislative Assistant: Jacob Holmes
Administrative Assistant During Session: Judy Miles

Email:

Offices

Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1005

District Office
Physical Address:
101 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Bristol, VA 24201
Phone: (276) 525-1311

Web

Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Politics

Source: none

Recent Elections

2019

Israel O’Quinn (R)18,49097.66%
Write In (Write-in)4442.34%
TOTAL18,934

2017

Israel O’Quinn (R)18,40297.26%
Write In (Write-in)5182.74%
TOTAL18,920

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

Committees

Committees

Privileges and Elections
Militia, Police and Public Safety
Commerce and Labor

Subcommittees

Chair: Commerce and Labor – Subcommittee #3
Chair: Privileges and Elections – Subcommittee #4
Commerce and Labor – Subcommittee #1
Militia, Police and Public Safety – Subcommittee #2

Appointments

Voting Record

See: Vote Smart

New Legislation

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

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