Preceded by Ralph K. Smith Children Carolyn, Laura Occupation Attorney Role Politician Party Republican Party Unit 214th Fires Brigade | Political party Republican Alma mater University of Richmond Name Thomas Jr. Education University of Richmond Service/branch United States Army | |
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Born March 27, 1972 (age 51)
Atlanta, Georgia ( 1972-03-27 ) Committees General Laws and Technology; Courts of Justice; Education and Health; Privileges and Elections Residence Buckingham County, Virginia, United States | ||
Republican compares Russia probe to "birtherism"
Thomas Alexander "Tom" Garrett Jr. (born March 27, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American politician and former prosecutor. He is the United States Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district. A Republican, Garrett formerly represented the 22nd District in the Virginia Senate.
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Early life and family
Thomas Garrett was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Thomas Alexander Garrett Sr. and his wife, Lois. Garrett is a graduate of Louisa County High School and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Richmond. He resides with his wife, Flanna, and two daughters, Carolyn and Laura, in unincorporated Buckingham County (with a Scottsville address).
Military career
Garrett served for six years in the U.S. Army, where he was an officer.
Commonwealth's attorney
Garrett served as an Assistant Attorney General under Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell. In 2007, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Louisa County.
State Senate
After the General Assembly redistricted the State Senate as required by the Virginia Constitution in 2011, Garrett decided to run in an open seat. The 22nd District was open due to the incumbent Republican Ralph K. Smith's home in Roanoke being drawn into another district.
In the Republican primary, Garrett came in first in a 5-person field with nearly 26% of the vote and a margin of fewer than 200 votes. During his time in office, he served on the General Laws and Technology, Courts of Justice, Education and Health, and Privileges and Elections committees. He received the Freshman Legislator of the Year Award in 2012 from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Defender of Liberty Award from the American Conservative Union in 2013.
2016 congressional election
In May 2016, after three ballots at the Republican nominating convention, Garrett won the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative in Virginia's 5th congressional district
In the November 2016 general election, Garrett defeated Democratic nominee Jane Dittmar, the former chairwoman of the Albemarle County board of supervisors. Garrett received 58% of the vote to Dittmar's 42%.
115th Congress
In January, 2017, Congressman Garrett was named to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Education and the Workforce. He is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus.