Virginia House of Delegates

lower house of the Virginia General Assembly

The Virginia House of Delegates is a part of the Virginia General Assembly. The general assembly is the legislature for Virginia. The house is the lower house, while the Senate of Virginia is the upper house. The house has 100 members called delegates. The leader of the house is called the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is internally elected. The current Speaker is Todd Gilbert. The leader of the largest party is called the majority leader. The leader of the smallest party is called the minority leader.

Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia General Assembly
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Established1776
Preceded byHouse of Burgesses
New session started
January 12, 2022
Leadership
Todd Gilbert (R)
since January 12, 2022
Majority Leader
Terry Kilgore (R)
since January 12, 2022
Minority Leader
Eileen Filler-Corn (D)
since January 8, 2020
Structure
Seats100
Political groups
Majority
  •   Republican (52)

Minority

Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle IV, Virginia Constitution
Salary$17,640/year + per diem
Elections
Last election
November 2, 2021
Next election
November 7, 2023
RedistrictingBy 16-member bipartisan commission, approved by General Assembly
Meeting place
House of Delegates Chamber
Virginia State Capitol
Richmond, Virginia
Website
Virginia General Assembly

The House of Delegates holds elections every 2 years. The last election was on November 2, 2021, and the next election is on November 7, 2023.

History

change

The House of Burgesses was the representative body for the Virginia General Assembly. The House of Burgesses became the House of Delegates in 1776.

Composition

change
Years Democrats Republicans Independents
1900–1904 93 7 0
1904–1912 86 14 0
1912–1914 90 10 0
1914–1916 92 8 0
1916–1922 88 12 0
1922–1924 95 5 0
1924–1926 97 3 0
1926–1928 95 5 0
1928–1930 93 7 0
1930–1934 95 5 0
1934–1940 93 7 0
1940–1944 97 3 0
1944–1946 94 6 0
1946–1950 93 7 0
1950–1960 94 6 0
1960–1962 96 4 0
1962–1964 94 5 1
1964–1966 89 11 0
1966–1968 87 12 1
1968–1970 86 14 0
1970–1972 75 24 1
1972–1974 73 24 3
1974–1976 65 20 15
1976–1978 78 17 5
1978–1980 76 21 3
1980–1982 74 25 1
1982–1984 66 32 2
1984–1986 65 34 1
1986–1988 65 33 2
1988–1990 64 35 1
1990–1992 59 40 1
1992–1994 58 41 1
1994–1996 52 47 1
1996–1998 52 47 1
1998–2000 50[1] 49 1
2000–2002 47 52 1
2002–2004 34 64 2
2004–2006 37 61 2
2006–2008 40 57 3
2008–2010 44 54 2
2010–2012 39 59 2
2012–2014 32 66 2
2014–2016 32 67 1
2016–2018 34 66 0
2018–2020 49 51 0
2020–2022 55 45 0
2022–2024 48 52 0

Leadership

change
Speaker Todd Gilbert
Majority Leader Terry Kilgore
Minority Leader Eileen Filler-Corn
Caucus Chair Charniele Herring

References

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  1. The 1997 general election made a 51-48-1 house composition, with the Democratic party being the largest party. When David Brickley resigned his seat, a special election for District 51 was called. His seat became Republican, and with Independent Lacey Putney siding with the Republicans, the chamber was tied. Democrats kept the Speaker of the House position through an agreement. [1] [2]