Summary
Current Position: State Senator of District 13 since 2016
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: State Delegate from 2016 – 2019
Delegate John Bell is a retired member of the United States Air Force. He served almost 26 years before retiring as a Major in 2007. During his Air Force career, John served as a Finance Officer all over the world, including tours in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
John has worked across party lines to pass Medicaid expansion, increase school funding and teacher pay, fight for common-sense gun safety reforms and champion policies to address the opioid addiction crisis
OnAir Post: John Bell
About
Source: Campaign page
Delegate John Bell is a retired member of the United States Air Force. He served almost 26 years before retiring as a Major in 2007. During his Air Force career, John served as a Finance Officer all over the world, including tours in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His ability to build consensus among diverse participants produced savings and cost reductions throughout the world, including $200 million saved annually from his work in Iceland.
John enlisted in the Air Force in 1981 after graduating from high school. He was consistently recognized during this enlisted career as an outstanding performer and was named the #1 Non Commissioned Officer out of over 5,000 assigned to the Far East in 1992. After completing his bachelors degree in Business Administration and graduating Summa Cum Laude (while serving full time in the Air Force) from Regis University, he was selected for Officer Training School. At Officer Training School, John finished in the Top 10% of graduates and was named a Distinguished Graduate. John was also a Distinguished Graduate of Squadron Officer’s School and was named the U.S. Air Force’s 2006 Outstanding Contributor to Financial Management and Comptrollership.
John now leads a team of financial professionals in the private sector and assists government clients to identify inefficiencies and implement cost-saving solutions.
John volunteered as the head tennis coach for the Freedom High School Varsity Boys program from 2008 to 2013. After taking over a team with only 3 victories in school history, Freedom now boasts a powerhouse program and is 66-12 in John’s tenure with a 3A Final Four appearance, 2 Regional titles and 4 District titles. John has also proudly served on Congressman Frank Wolf’s Service Academy Selection Board from 2011 to 2014.
In addition to his Bachelor’s degree, John also has an MBA (finance emphasis) and a Masters in Organizational Development from George Washington University.
John is married and lives in South Riding in Loudoun County with his wife Margaret (also retired Air Force). Margaret is a realtor and is an avid supporter of animal rescue. They have five children and have a proud tradition of military service with 3 children serving: John (6 years active duty Air Force), Josh (6 years Air National guard), and Danielle (10 years in both USAF and ANG).
John was elected to the House of Delegates in 2015 to replace Delegate David Ramadan.
Experience
Work Experience
- Management consultant
2019 to present - Military Service
USAF
1991 to 2007
Education
- BS
Regis University, CO
2019 to 1991 - MBA
Western New England College
2019 to 2000 - MA
George Washington University
2019 to 2005
Personal
Birth Year: 1963
Place of Birth: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
Race(s): Caucasian
Religion: Roman Catholic
Spouse: Margaret Rose Spataro
Children: Danielle Tipps, John Manning, Joshua, Saoirse, Kyle Thornburgh
Membership & Affiliation: American Society of Military Comptrollers
Loudoun County Democratic Committee
Contact
Legislative Assistant: David Choi
Administrative Assistant During Session: Lisa Shiffert
Email:
- Government – DelJBell@house.virginia.gov
Offices
Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1087
District Office
P.O. Box 223822
Chantilly, Virginia 20153
Phone: (571) 367-9080
Web
Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, Facebook
Politics
Source: none
Recent Elections
2019
| John J. Bell (D) | 44,762 | 54.26% |
| Geary M. Higgins (R) | 37,645 | 45.63% |
| Write-In (Write-in) | 95 | 0.12% |
| TOTAL | 82,502 |
2017
| John Bell (D) | 18,234 | 61.7% |
| Subba Rao Kolla (R) | 11,236 | 38.0% |
| Write In (Write-in) | 67 | 0.2% |
| TOTAL | 29,537 |
2015
| John Bell (D) | 8,203 | 49.9% |
| Chuong Dong Nguyen (R) | 7,883 | 47.9% |
| Brian Thomas Suojanen (L) | 343 | 2.1% |
| Write In (Write-in) | 18 | 18% |
| TOTAL | 16,447 |
Source: Virginia Legislative Information System
Finances
Source: VPAP
Committees
Committees
Counties Cities and Towns
Militia, Police and Public Safety
Appropriations
Subcommittees
Appropriations – Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Technology Subcommittee
Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
Counties Cities and Towns – Subcommittee #1
Militia, Police and Public Safety – Subcommittee #1
Appointments
Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Technology Subcommittee
House Appropriations
House Counties Cities and Towns
House Militia Police and Public Safety
School Readiness Committee
War Memorial Board, Virginia
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Source: Ballotpedia
