Summary
Current Position: State Senator of District 40 since 2014
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2014 – 2019
Though only in his second full term in elected office, Todd has been recognized as a leader for Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth through his work on the opioid epidemic, economic development, and promoting commonsense policies good for Virginia families and businesses.
Recently ranked as the second most effective legislator in the General Assembly, Todd is a recipient of the Virginia Chamber’s Innovation Award; the Award of Merit from the Virginia Pharmacists Association; the Child Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics-Virginia; and The Healthcare Hero Award from the Business Journal of the Tri-Cities, among others.
OnAir Post: Todd Pillion
About
Source: Campaign page
Though only in his second full term in elected office, Todd has been recognized as a leader for Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth through his work on the opioid epidemic, economic development, and promoting commonsense policies good for Virginia families and businesses.
Recently ranked as the second most effective legislator in the General Assembly, Todd is a recipient of the Virginia Chamber’s Innovation Award; the Award of Merit from the Virginia Pharmacists Association; the Child Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics-Virginia; and The Healthcare Hero Award from the Business Journal of the Tri-Cities, among others.
A native of Lee County, Todd grew up working on his family’s farm which helped him pay for his first year of college. On the farm, his father instilled in him the principles of hard word, faith in God, self-responsibility, and the value of a dollar. After graduating Lincoln Memorial University, he attended VCU’s School of Dentistry as one of the few students from the Southwest Virginia region. During his last year in dental school, Todd helped with the inception of the Wise RAM and Mission of Mercy project. He also joined the Virginia Army National Guard and was commissioned as a Captain in its Medical Detachment.
After graduating, Todd returned to practice general dentistry in Abingdon and soon realized his true calling was treating children. Three years after his return to Southwest Virginia he made the decision to participate in a post-graduate program to obtain a license in pediatric dentistry. During his residency, he was called to active duty to support the 42nd Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later returned to complete his certificate program and serve out his 8-year commitment with the Virginia Army National Guard. In 2009, he completed his tenure with the rank of Major and the honor of being the state dental officer for Virginia’s finest.
Todd and his wife Amanda currently reside in Abingdon with their four children.
Experience
Work Experience
- Pediatric Dentist
- Major
Virginia Army National Guard
2001 to 2009
Education
- Pediatric Specialty
State University of New York at Buffalo, NY
2006 - DDS
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
2001 - BA
Lincoln Memorial University, TN
1996
Personal
- Birth Year: 1973
- Place of Birth: Middlesboro, KY
- Gender: Male
- Race(s): None Given
- Religion: Methodist
- Spouse: Amanda Scott Lawson
- Children: Virginia, Todd, Henry, and George
Membership & Affiliation
Abingdon United Methodist Church
Virginia Dental Association
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Dental Association
Contact
Legislative Assistant: Tyler W. Lester
Administrative Assistant During Session: Susan Nienaber
Email:
- Government – DelTPillion@house.virginia.gov
Offices
Capitol Office
Pocahontas Building
900 E. Main St,
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1004
District Office
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Suite 178
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: (276) 220-1209
Web
Government Page, Campaign Site, Twitter, Facebook
Politics
Source: none
Recent Elections
2019
Todd Pillion (R) | 40,122 | 76.31% |
Kenneth W. Heath () | 12,271 | 23.34% |
Write-in (Write-in) | 184 | .35% |
TOTAL | 52,577 |
2017
Todd Pillion (R) | 15,282 | 96.2% |
Write-in (Write-in) | 598 | 3.8% |
TOTAL | 15,880 |
Source: Virginia Legislative Information System
Finances
PILLION, TODD E has run in 3 races for public office, winning 3 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $302,777.
Source: Follow the Money
Committees
Committees
Science and Technology
Transportation
Appropriations
Subcommittees
Chair: Transportation – Subcommittee #2
Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
Appropriations – Health and Human Resources Subcommittee
Appointments
- Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
- House Appropriations
- House Science & Technology
- House Transportation
- Service System Structure and Financing
- Southwest Virginia Health Authority
- Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Board of Trustees
- Southwest Virginia Public Education Consortium Governing Board
- Substance Abuse Services Council
- Virginia Preschool Initiative, Joint Subcommittee
- Youth, Commission on
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Source: Virginia Legislative Information System
Issues
Source: Campaign page
GETTING RESULTS FOR SWVA
In 2019, I was proud to be part of the Republican majority that enacted the largest tax relief plan in 15 years, letting Virginians keep more of their hard-earned money. We also passed a balanced budget with no tax increases while making key investments in core functions of government, like education.
Equally important is what we prevented from becoming law. The tax increases, Green New Deal policies, and efforts to undermine Virginia’s right-to-work laws would kill jobs and increase the cost of living for all Virginians. While we were able to stop these bad proposals this year, Democrats have vowed to bring them back next year. That is why this election–and control of the General Assembly–is so important.
As your Senator, you can count on me to continue to promote policies that are good for our families and communities while fighting back against those that would harm and undermine our region.”
Civil Rights
Abortion
With only seven legislators representing Virginia west of Interstate 77, it’s crucial that we stand firm for our Southwest Virginia values. The horrific late-term abortion bill that our slim Republican majority was able to stop this year is a prime example. I am proud to stand firmly in support of our fundamental rights and will continue to fight for the right to life
Economy
Jobs and economic development are my top priorities in the General Assembly. As a small business owner and employer, I understand firsthand how decisions made in Richmond have a real-life impact on our businesses and families.
That’s why we’ve cut regulation and stopped unnecessarily overburdensome mandates that would kill jobs and increase costs for Southwest Virginia families. I have worked with my colleagues to restore state tax credits that protect local coal jobs while promoting an “all of the above” energy approach to support innovation and job creation through projects such as hydroelectric pumped storage. Through workforce development and investing in our communities and people, we are pursuing creative approaches to job creation and economic development in Southwest Virginia.
Health Care
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST OPIOID ADDICTION
The opioid epidemic is one of the greatest public health, economic, and workforce issues of our generation. Using my experience as a health professional, I have made fighting the opioid epidemic a top priority. Tragically, this crisis has impacted nearly every family and community in Southwest Virginia. I have introduced legislation that raises standards for providers, strengthens regulations on opioid prescriptions, and emphasizes the importance of quality, comprehensive treatment. For the first time since 2012, we have seen a slight decrease in the number of fatal overdoses. I remain committed to working with my colleagues and folks in our communities to advance meaningful reforms to combat this epidemic and save lives.
Safety
2nd Amendment
Advocate for protecting people’s 2nd Amendment rights