Summary
Virginia onAir is US onAir’s model of a curated state Hub. Over the past two years, George Mason University alumni, faculty, students, and staff through their GMU onAir chapter have led the development and testing of this Hub.
Virginia is located in the Southern region of the USA with Richmond as its capital. The Virginia General Assembly has 40 Senate members and 100 House of Delegate members. Ralph Northam is the current governor. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are its senators.
> To view Virginia’s current political leaders, select the feature image or the post title above. To view leaders by position, select the three dots in the post title.
> Select this link to view all US House members in a slide show.
> Select this link to view all US House members in a map format (only in big screens).
About
Virginia onAir Mission:
Virginia onAir organizes students and members of affiliated nonpartisan organizations to become engaged in and impact state and federal Virginia politics facilitating a more civil, collaborative, and vibrant democracy in the state.
Virginia onAir Hub members/curators aggregate information and media-rich content on elections and governance so Virginia residents can learn more about and interact with their representatives and each other on the issues important to them.
Our lead onAir chapter to be started with George Mason University students, faculty, and staff will coordinate student curators from Virginia colleges, universities, and high schools.
We are currently looking for student curators who are attending any Virginia college or university. To learn more about becoming an Virginia onAir curator as well as interning with, donating to, and sponsoring Virginia go to this post on the US onAir central Hub.
Directors & Students
Virginia onAir is lead by a team of students from George Mason University (GMU) along with students from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Virginia Tech (VT), University of Virginia (UVA), Old Dominion University (ODU), and other Virginia colleges and universities. Short biographies of the lead Virginia onAir directors are below.
Kerrie Thompson
Outreach Director
I am currently the Outreach Director for Virginia onAir. I am a recent graduate of George Mason University. I majored in Global Affairs and was a Global Political Fellow where I interned with Democracy onAir. I am also a founding member of the GMU onAir chapter.
My mission is to help expand the Virginia onAir network to other areas of the state to ultimately provide an all encompassing, unbiased source for news and general information on Virginia politics.
Jessler Elvira
Curation Director
I am currently the Curation Director for Virginia onAir. I am a recent graduate of George Mason University. I majored in Global Affairs and was a Global Political Fellow where I interned with Democracy onAir. I am also a founding member of the GMU onAir chapter.
My mission is to help expand the Virginia onAir network to other areas of the state to ultimately provide an all encompassing, unbiased source for news and general information on Virginia politics.
Shuaib Ahmed
Technology Director
Shuaib Ahmed coordinates the technology initiatives that support Democracy onAir through UX, web analytics, server management, cybersecurity, interactive district and region mapping, custom software, media content, and organizational support.
Shuaib is a recent graduate of George Mason University. Shuaib majored in information technology with a concentration in cybersecurity. As part of his IT senior capstone project, he led a team of five other GMU students to solve business challenges through the application of technology. One of the objectives of the capstone project was to prepare the technology and analytics needed to scale the Hubs for a significant influx of viewers and members.
What the media say
From RVA magazine by Zach Armstrong on January 24, 2020
Virginia onAir is working to ensure that young voters in the Commonwealth are able to stay informed about this year’s important election cycle.
Virginia onAir, a student run non-partisan non-profit organization, works by providing online hubs for elections and governance information, facilitating greater civic education, discussion, and engagement. Political candidates can also use their website to create a more easily accessible web presence.
“As young people, we make up one of the largest voting demographics in Virginia,” said Weiser. “Perhaps if more young people got involved with politics then our legislators might actually create policies to reflect our interests.”
US Senators
Mark Warner
Current Position: US Senator since 2009
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position(s): Governor from 2002 – 2006
Senator Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2008 and reelected to a second term in November 2014. He serves on the Senate Finance, Banking, Budget, and Rules Committees as well as the Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Vice Chairman.
During his time in the Senate, Senator Warner has established himself as a bipartisan leader who has worked with Republicans and Democrats alike to cut red tape, increase government performance and accountability, and promote private sector innovation and job creation. Senator Warner has been recognized as a national leader in fighting for our military men and women and veterans, and in working to find bipartisan, balanced solutions to address our country’s debt and deficit.
For more information, go to the Mark Warner post.
Tim Kaine
Current Position: US Senator since 2013
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position(s): Governor from 2006 – 2010; Lt. Governor from 2002 – 2006; Mayor from 1998 – 2001
“Tim has made boosting job opportunities for everyone a top priority. Tim is focused on crafting smart defense strategy and reducing the risk of unnecessary war. Tim believes that health care is a right … and has consistently pushed for reforms to expand access to quality care.”
For more information, go to the Tim Kaine post.
US House Members
Rob Wittman
Current Position: US Representative since 2008
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position(s): State Delegate from 2006 – 2008; Montross Town Council from 1996 – 2005
Rob is committed to getting things done. From rebuilding our Navy to increasing access to broadband, to making sure our children have a 21st-century education, he is constantly working for the First District.
For more information, go to the Rob Wittman post.
Elaine Luria
Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative
“Today, too many Americans are working hard and getting less. That’s because politicians in Washington aren’t looking out for them. That’s why I am running for Congress.
The core values of Security, Equality, and Prosperity will serve as my compass in representing the 2nd District.”
For more information, go to the Elaine Luria post.
Bobby Scott
Current Position: US Representative since 1993
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative for US House District 3
During his tenure in the Virginia General Assembly, Congressman Bobby Scott successfully sponsored laws critical to Virginians in education, employment, health care, social services, economic development, crime prevention and consumer protection.
His legislative successes included laws that increased Virginia’s minimum wage, created the Governor’s Employment and Training Council and improved health care benefits for women, infants and children. He also sponsored the Neighborhood Assistance Act, which provides tax credits to businesses for donations made to approved social service and crime prevention programs.
For more information, go to the Bobby Scott post.
Donald McEachin
Current Position: US Representative for US House District 4 since 2017
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative for US House District 4
Former Position(s): State Delegate from 1995 – 2007
Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) was first elected to represent the 4th Congressional District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives on November 8, 2016.
Congressman McEachin has been selected by his colleagues to serve as a Regional Whip, co-chair of the House Democratic Environmental Message Team, Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force, and vice-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). During his first term in Congress, Rep. McEachin co-founded the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Congressional Task Force and continues to lead the task force as a co-chair.
For more information, go to the Donald McEachin post.
Denver Riggleman
Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
“As a political outsider, veteran, small business owner, and grassroots conservative, I will bring a fresh perspective to DC and help pass the President’s agenda. As we have all seen over the past few years, it takes a real outsider with real-world experience to drag the swamp monsters to dry land.”
For more information, go to the Denver Riggleman post.
Ben Cline
Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position(s): State Delegate from 2002 – 2017
Ben Cline represents Virginia’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee. He previously served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th District from 2002-2018. In the Virginia House, Cline chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.
Prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2018, Ben was an attorney in private practice. From 2007 until 2013, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg.
Ben also worked for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, beginning as a member of his legislative staff in 1994 and ultimately serving as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff
For more information, go to the Ben Cline post.
Abigail Spanberger
For more information, go to the Abigail Spanberger post.
Don Beyer
Current Position: US Representative for US House District 8 since 2015
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative
Former Position(s): Lt. Governor from 1990 – 1998
Congressman Don Beyer is serving his third term as the U.S. Representative from Virginia’s 8th District, representing Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and parts of Fairfax County. He serves on the House Committees on Ways and Means and Science Space and Technology, and is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Climate Change Task Force. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1998, and was Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein under President Obama.
Rep. Beyer’s signature work as lieutenant governor included advocacy for Virginians with disabilities and ensuring protections for Virginia’s most vulnerable populations as the Commonwealth reformed its welfare system in the mid-1990s. Rep. Beyer was Virginia’s Democratic nominee for governor in 1997
For more information, go to the Don Beyer post.
Morgan Griffith
Current Position: US Representative since 2011
Affiliation: Republican
Candidate: 2020 US Senator
Former Position(s): State Delegate from 1993 – 2010
Overview: N/A
For more information, go to the Morgan Griffith post.
Jennifer Wexton
Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative for US House District 10
Former Position(s): State Senator from 2013 – 2018
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton has been serving the people of Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley for nearly two decades as a prosecutor, advocate for abused children, state Senator, and now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 10th District.
Jennifer comes to Congress with experience in legislating and a deep understanding of Virginia’s 10th district and the issues that matter most to our region’s families. Rep. Wexton looks forward to working across the aisle in Congress to deliver positive results for the people of Northern Virginia and the United States.
For more information, go to the Jennifer Wexton post.
Gerry Connolly
Current Position: US Representative for US House District 11 since 2009
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative for US House District 11
Former Position(s): Board of Supervisors – Fairfax County from 1995 – 2007
Congressman Connolly is a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations. In this role, he is responsible for shaping government-wide policy for a broad range of issues, including federal workforce and federal agency oversight, federal procurement and information policy, national drug policy, regulatory reform, the United States Postal Service, the United States Census Bureau, and the District of Columbia. He also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Using his extensive background in foreign policy, including as a senior staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has become a leading voice on foreign assistance reform, war powers, embassy security, and democracy promotion abroad.
For more information, go to the Gerry Connolly post.
VA Executive Leaders
Ralph Northam
Current Position: Governor since 2018
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position(s): Lt. Governor from 2014 – 2018; State Senator from 2008 – 2014
Governor Ralph Northam addresses the Virginia House of Delegates, January 20, 2020.
“Governor Northam approaches public service with the same passion he brought to his military and medical service. He is committed to working with leaders from both parties to build a Virginia that works better for every family, no matter who they are or where they live.”
For more information, go to the Ralph Northam post.
Justin Fairfax
Current Position: Lt. Governor since 2018
Affiliation: Democrat
Justin Farifax has been recognized as one of the top young attorneys in the nation and a rising star in American politics. He is a prominent and highly successful lawyer, political figure, philanthropist, and a proud husband, father, and community leader.
In 2013, at the age of 34, Justin was awarded the National Bar Association’s “Nation’s Best Advocates Award,” which recognizes 40 top attorneys nationwide under the age of 40. He most recently served as a top commercial and white-collar criminal litigator in the Northern Virginia office of the prestigious law firm, Venable, LLP, which he departed in January 2018 to focus on his duties as Lieutenant Governor during his first General Assembly session.
For more information, go to the Justin Fairfax post.
Mark Herring
Current Position: Attorney General since 2014
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position(s): State Senator from 2007 – 2013
As Attorney General, Mark has assembled an elite team of prosecutors to crack down on heroin dealers, violent gang members, gun runners, human traffickers, and those who attempt to exploit our children online.
He is helping survivors of sexual assault pursue justice by eliminating a three-decade-old backlog of more than 2,000 untested rape kits to find and prosecute criminals.
He has made communities safer by cracking down on illegal guns and promoting commonsense gun safety laws, like universal background checks, that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. And he has worked to improve relations between police departments and the communities they serve with innovative training and recruiting initiatives.
For more information, go to the Mark Herring post.
General Assembly Leaders
Dick Saslaw
Current Position: State Senator since 1980
Affiliation: Democrat
Dick Saslaw proudly serves Virginia’s 35th Senate District and as Democratic Leader in the Senate of Virginia. His distinguished public service has brought about real, positive results for families in Northern Virginia.
Throughout his tenure in the General Assembly, Dick has fought for investments in public K-12 and higher education, fought to improve the social safety net, maintain Virginia’s business-friendly climate, and find solutions for Northern Virginia’s transportation problems. In Richmond, he has distinguished himself for his ability to work across the aisle to get results.
For more information, go to the Dick Saslaw post.
Louise Lucas
Current Position: State Senator since 1992
Affiliation: Democrat
Louise Lucas is a Portsmouth native and product of the Portsmouth Public School System. She is President/CEO of Lucas Lodge, Lucas Transportation, Portsmouth Day Support Program and Southside Direct Care Provider organizations operating in The Lucas Professional Center located in Portsmouth.
Senator Lucas served in the position of Congressional Liaison for Sponsored Program at Old Dominion University from 1992 – 1994. She also served as Assistant Professor, Department of Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement at Norfolk State University from 1994 – 1998.
For more information, go to the Louise Lucas post.
Tom Norment
Current Position: State Senator since 1992
Affiliation: Republican
Tommy Norment maintains an active role in the community. He is a member of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s Board of Directors. He is on the Hampton Roads Board of Directors of TowneBank and he chairs the Williamsburg Board of TowneBank. Tommy is also a member of the Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the James City County Ruritan Club.
Professionally, Tommy is an attorney with Kaufman and Canoles, P.C., and a professor at the College of William and Mary.
For more information, go to the Tom Norment post.
Eileen Filler-Corn
Current Position: State Delegate
Affiliation: Democrat
Eileen Filler-Corn has served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 41st District, since 2010. The 41st District, located in Fairfax County, includes Burke and parts of Fairfax, Fairfax Station and West Springfield. Eileen has over two decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, working across party lines to make a difference in the lives of all Virginians. She currently is the 56th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Previously, Eileen served in the Administrations of Governor Mark Warner and Governor Tim Kaine, advising on state and federal relations. For over 25 years, Eileen and her husband Bob have lived in Fairfax County, Virginia, along with their children, Jeremy and Alana.
For more information, go to the Eileen Filler-Corn post.
Charniele Herring
Current Position: State Delegate since 2009
Affiliation: Democrat
Charniele has lived in Northern Virginia area for over 30 years, most of them in the West End of Alexandria. Charniele has a rich history of community involvement as a volunteer, a member of Rotary, and a past Chair of the West End Business Association. She has served on the Alexandria Commission for Women, including Chairing the organization.
She was also appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the state’s Council on the Status of Women. She presently serves on the Board of the Parent Teacher Leadership Institute of Alexandria and as a Trustee of Hopkins House—advocating for strong pre-k education.
For more information, go to the Charniele Herring post.
Todd Gilbert
Current Position: State Delegate since 2006
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position(s): Prosecutor from 1997 – 2006
Delegate Gilbert is a member of the Courts of Justice Committee, the Rules Committee, and serves as the Vice-Chairman of the House General Laws Committee. He also serves on the Virginia State Crime Commission, which helps to study and direct polices on public safety throughout Virginia and he is the Chairman of the House Criminal Law Subcommittee.
Prior to his election to the House of Delegates, Delegate Gilbert began his career as a full-time prosecutor. His first job was with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg, where he was a member of the Violent Crime Prosecution Team.
For more information, go to the Todd Gilbert post.
