WhoRunsGov

Morgan Griffith (R-Va.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2011)

(Griffith campaign)

Why He Matters

Attorney and outgoing Virginia House majority leader Griffith staged one of the biggest upsets of the 2010 elections against 14-term Rep. Rick Boucher (D) for the House seat in Virginia's 9th district.

The win was a major victory for the GOP, which worked hard during the campaign to tie Boucher to President Obama. Boucher, meanwhile, tried to draw attention to the fact that Griffith lives in Salem, which is outside the 9th district.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Virginia House Majority Leader (1994-present); Partner, Albo and Oblon (present)
  • Birthday: March 15, 1958
  • Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
  • Alma Mater: Emory & Henry College, B.A., 1980; Washington and Lee University, J.D., 1983
  • Spouse: Hilary
  • Religion: Episcopal
  • Committees: : House Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Campaign Office: 1055 W Main St., Christiansburg, VA 24073-4219
  • Web site
 

Path To Power

Born in Philadelphia in 1958, Griffith was raised in Salem, Va., where he still lives today.

A graduate of Emory & Henry College and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, Griffith ran his own private practice before joining a Virginia-wide law firm.

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The Issues

In Richmond, Griffith was a skilled conservative legislator largely because of his knowledge of legislative rules. He said he intends to bring "a legislative crowbar" to Congress and "change the rules, because folks want us to do things differently."

Griffith says there should be no compromises on gun rights. "Some people don't like it, but guns have a special place in the Constitution,'' he said.

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The Network

Griffith is closely connected with Virginia Republican Reps. Bob Goodlatte and Eric Cantor. When Goodlatte first ran for Congress in 1992, he contacted Griffith who was then the chairman of the Salem Republican Party and the two have been politically connected since. Cantor served in the Virginia House of Delegates with Griffith from 1994 to 2001.

Griffith says his official mentor is Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.).

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Additional Resources

  1. Kumar, Anita, "Va. Budget Shortfall Reaches $3.7 Billion" The Washington Post, Feb. 17, 2009
  2. McCown, Debra, "Griffith says with mandatory redistricting on horizon, he'll be in 9th next year" Bristol Herald Courier, Oct. 26, 2010
  3. Nolan, Jim, "Boucher, Griffith clash over cap-and-trade legislation at 9th District debate" Richmond Times-Dispatch, Oct. 22, 2010
  4. "Editorial: Defense spending must be curtailed" The Roanoke Times, Nov. 8, 2010
  5. Nolan, Jim, "Boucher loses 9th District seat he has occupied since 1983" Richmond Times-Dispatch, Nov. 3, 2010
  6. McCown, Debra, "Griffith's agenda includes rules for Congress, more jobs" Bristol Herald Courier, Sept. 25, 2010
  7. "Issues," Griffith Campaign
  8. Warren, Jay, "Candidate Profile: Del. Morgan Griffith" WSLS, Oct. 19, 2010
  9. Owens, Charles, "COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION: Griffith guarantees fight against Obama agenda" Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Oct. 22, 2010
  10. Sluss, Michael, "Griffith setting stage for Congressional bid" The Roanoke Times, Feb. 20, 2010
  11. Fisher, Marc, "The agony and the ecstasy of Washington" The Washington Post, Nov. 5, 2010
  12. Kumar, Anita, "Gun Show Measure Falters in Va. House" The Washington Post, Jan. 19, 2008
  13. Sluss, Michael, "Cuccinelli readies health reform suit against federal government" The Roanoke Times, March 23, 2010
  14. Coil, Kate, "Griffith ready to represent the 9th District in Washington" Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Nov. 4, 2010
  15. Lewis, Bob, "New congressman: 'I do know I'm a little nerdy'" The Associated Press, Nov. 27, 2010
  16. McCown, Debra, "Griffith, Boucher square off in Roanoke debate" Bristol Herald Courier, Oct. 22, 2010
  17. Pershing, Ben, "Griffith to get fundraising boost from McDonnell" The Washington Post, Aug. 27, 2010
  18. "Issues"
  19. "Candidate Profile" The Associated Press
  20. "GOP's Griffith Ousts 14-Term Dem Rick Boucher," Associated Press, November 2, 2010
  21. "2010 Election Results" The Washington Post
  22. Sluss, Michael, "Griffith picked to run in 9th" The Roanoke Times, May 23, 2010
  23. "Q & A with Morgan Griffith and Carter Turner" The Roanoke Star-Sentinel, Oct. 22, 2009
  24. Adams, Mason, "For Goodlatte, a fresh start; returns to Capitol Hill with more seniority" The Roanoke Times, Nov. 15, 2010
  25. Meola, Olympia, "New Va. lawmakers cite ways they'd cut spending" Richmond Times-Dispatch, Nov. 7, 2010