Thelma Drake

Thelma D. Drake (born November 20, 1949) is an American politician and former member of Congress of the Republican party from the state of Virginia. She was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent Virginia's 2nd congressional district. She was defeated by Democrat Glenn Nye in 2008.

Personal life

Thelma Drake was born in Elyria, Ohio. She grew up in Ohio and attended Elyria High School. She later attended Old Dominion University, but did not graduate. She worked as a real estate agent in Norfolk, Virginia.

Drake is married and has two adult children. She and her husband reside in Norfolk. She was the director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit under the McDonnell administration.

Career in the House of Delegates

In 1995 Drake became the second Republican to be elected from the Norfolk area to the Virginia House of Delegates since Reconstruction. She served in the House of Delegates for nine years representing the 87th District. Drake served as chairman of the Virginia Housing Commission and as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.