Tom Garrett (Virginia politician)

Early life and education

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.

Career

Garrett served for six years in the United States Army, where he was a Field Artillery 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 for 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 five-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.

U.S House of Representatives

Elections

2016

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 won with 58.2% of the vote to Dittmar's 41.6%.

2018

In the spring of 2018, reports surfaced that Garrett and his wife, Flanna, used his congressional staff for personal use, leading his chief of staff to abruptly resign. Personal use of the staff time included running errands, house sitting, chauffeuring his children, and cleaning up after their dog.

Rumors also spread that Garrett might not run again. Garrett clarified later that he intended to run in what political analyst Larry Sabato called "one of the oddest" speeches. As of April 2018, Garrett was outraised by multiple Democratic opponents. In light of these fundraising numbers, the Cook Political Report moved the race from "likely Republican" to the more competitive "leans Republican." Democrats went on to nominate former investigative journalist Leslie Cockburn.

On May 28, 2018, Garrett announced that he is an alcoholic and would not seek reelection in 2018.

Tenure

In January 2017, Garrett was named to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Education and the Workforce. He was also a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, though he told voters during the campaign that he would not join the group. Garrett was a member of the Republican Study Committee.

In March 2017, Garrett posed for a photo with Jason Kessler, one of his constituents who was an organizer of the Unite the Right rally, a far-right rally held in August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The rally became the site of violent clashes, leaving about 30 people injured, followed shortly by an incident in which a white supremacist rammed his car into a crowd, killing a woman and injuring 19 other people. After the rally, Garrett disavowed the organizer and said he was unaware of Kessler's role in the rally when they initially met.

Personal life

In April 2019, Garrett and his wife, Flanna Sheridan, separated. In August 2021, Sheridan filed suit in Rockingham County Circuit Court for false imprisonment, emotional distress, trespassing and civil assault, seeking $450,000 in damages stemming from an attempt by Garrett to repossess a vehicle driven by Sheridan.

References

References

1. (November 22, 2022). "Former Rep. Tom Garrett seeks redemption, return in bid for House of Delegates".
2. (November 7, 2023). "VA State House 056 Race".
3. (June 21, 2007). "Garrett to Challenge Short for Louisa Post". [[The Central Virginian]].
4. James Ivancic, [http://www.fauquier.com/news/freshman-congressman-tom-garrett-looks-forward-to-busy-session/article_088bfd74-cbff-11e6-b75c-5b470d6cecaf.html Freshman Congressman Tom Garrett looks forward to busy session], ''Fauquier Times'' (December 27, 2016).
5. Staff reports, [http://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/candidates-for-th-district-outline-priorities-for-southside/article_523c6818-9edd-11e6-abba-6bc4fac378e4.html Candidates for 5th District outline priorities for Southside], ''Gazette-Virginian'' (October 31, 2016).
6. "2011 Results, Virginia State Board of Elections".
7. Rohr, Alex. (May 14, 2016). "Sen. Tom Garrett wins 5th District Republican nomination on third ballot". [[The News & Advance]].
8. (November 9, 2016). "Virginia 2016 general election results".
9. "Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections".
10. [http://www.businessinsider.com]. Aides to a GOP congressman say they spent most of their days chauffeuring their boss's family and cleaning up dog poop. Grace Panetta. [http://www.businessinsider.com/aides-to-rep-tom-garrett-say-they-were-treated-like-servants-2018-5]
11. [http://www.foxnews.com]. May 25, 2018. Virginia Rep. Tom Garrett accused of making staffers his 'personal servants'. Alex Pappas. Fox News. [https://www.foxnews.com/politics//]
12. [https://www.npr.org]. June 1, 2018. GOP Lawmaker Requested 'Sensitive' Email Audit Of His Own Staff. Susan Davis. [https://www.npr.org/2018/06/01/616259472/gop-lawmaker-requested-sensitive-e-mail-audit-of-his-own-staff]
13. "Garrett in turmoil, might quit Congress". POLITICO.
14. Hammel, Tyler. "Report: Garrett might drop out of 5th District race". The Daily Progress.
15. reports, The Daily Progress staff. "Garrett says he will run for reelection". The Daily Progress.
16. "Larry Sabato on Twitter". Twitter.
17. "Democrats crush House Republicans in fundraising". POLITICO.
18. "New House FEC Reports: Rating Changes in 7 Districts". The Cook Political Report.
19. Progress, Tyler Hammel The (Charlottesville) Daily. "Cockburn receives 5th District Democratic nomination". Roanoke Times.
20. Washington Post. "Rep. Garrett announces he is an alcoholic and will not seek re-election.".
21. Portnoy, Jenna. (March 15, 2017). "Three Virginia GOP congressmen, including Rep. Tom Garrett in 5th District, line up against GOP health care plan". The Roanoke Times.
22. The Editorial Board. "An Endorsement: Garrett Would Fight for Fifth District in Congress". NewsAdvance.com.
23. "Member List". Republican Study Committee.
24. (August 12, 2017). "How Virginia candidates responded to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville". [[Washington Post]].
25. News-Record, IAN MUNRO Daily. (August 27, 2021). "Lawsuit Entangles City Towing Firm, Former Congressman".