A Representative from Virginia; born in Chesapeake, Chesapeake County, Va., February 17, 1952; B.A., Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Va., 1974; J.D., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., 1977; lawyer, private practice; chair, Republican Party of Virginia, 1996-2001; member of the Virginia state house of delegates, 1989-1997; member of the Virginia state senate, 1997-2001; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Seventh Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Norman Sisisky, and reelected to the six succeeding Congresses (June 19, 2001-present).