Lamont Bagby | |
|---|---|
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| Chair of theVirginia Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office March 22, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Swecker |
| Member of theVirginia Senate | |
| Assumed office April 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jennifer McClellan |
| Constituency | 9th district (2023–2024) 14th district (2024–present) |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the74th district | |
| In office July 23, 2015 – April 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Morrissey |
| Succeeded by | Destiny Levere Bolling (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1976-12-21)December 21, 1976 (age 48) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Norfolk State University (BS) Virginia Commonwealth University (MEd) |
| Website | Official website |
Lamont Bagby (born December 21, 1976) is an American politician of theDemocratic Party. On November 3, 2015, he was elected to theVirginia House of Delegates, representing the 74th district, which includesCharles City County, parts ofHenrico County and the city ofRichmond. Bagby serves as the Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia and Chair of the bicameralVirginia Legislative Black Caucus.[1] He is a former member of the Henrico County School Board.
Bagby was the Democratic nominee in a special election toVirginia's 9th Senate district, which was vacated byJennifer McClellan following her election to Congress.[2] He won the election on March 28, 2023.[3] He was sworn in on April 11, 2023.[4] He will be eligible to run for re-election in the newly re-drawn14th Senate district.[4]
Lamont Bagby was a member of the Henrico County School Board (2008–2015), serving as chair in 2011. Bagby was then elected to theVirginia House of Delegates in a special election on July 21, 2015, and took the oath of office July 23, replacingJoe Morrissey, who resigned in April.[5] He defeated David Lambert, son of longtimeVirginia State SenatorBenjamin Lambert.[6] Bagby also defeated Lambert in the general election on November 3, 2015.[7]
In 2014, GovernorTerry McAuliffe appointed Bagby to theNorfolk State University Board of Visitors.[8]
As a member of the Virginia General Assembly and chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Bagby has worked across the aisle and championed legislation focused on stopping the school-to-prison pipeline, creating affordable housing, criminal justice reforms, voting rights, environmental justice, and consumer protections.
He is a member of the Senate Committees on Commerce and Labor, Courts of Justice, Education and Health, Local Government, and Transportation. Additionally, Senator Bagby serves on legislative studies and commissions including: the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, Criminal Justice Services Board, Task Force to Assist in Identification of the History of Formerly Enslaved African Americans in Virginia, Health Insurance Reform Commission, Small Business Commission, Commission to Study the History of the Uprooting of Black Communities by Public Institutions of Higher Education in the Commonwealth, VCU Health System Board of Visitors, and Virginia Minority Business Commission.
Bagby was named to the top 40 Extraordinary leaders under 40 list in Richmondalternative newspaperStyle Weekly in 2009.[9]
Currently, Bagby is the chairman of theVirginia Legislative Black Caucus, an organization dedicated to improving the economic, educational, political and social conditions of African Americans and other underrepresented groups in the Commonwealth of Virginia.[1]
Senator Bagby is a graduate ofHenrico High School. He earned aBachelor of Science degree in Business Education fromNorfolk State University as well as amaster's degree in Education Leadership fromVirginia Commonwealth University. He is a recipient of honorary doctorates fromNorfolk State University andVirginia Union University.
Prior to his political career, Senator Bagby was a teacher and administrator at his alma mater, Henrico High School.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lamont Bagby | 2,192 | 84.5 | |
| Independent | David Lambert | 398 | 15.34 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lamont Bagby | 11,452 | 77.9 | |
| Independent | David Lambert | 3,107 | 21.13 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lamont Bagby | 20,041 | 76.0 | |
| Independent | Preston T. Brown | 6,146 | 23.31 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lamont Bagby | 22,913 | 72.6 | |
| Republican | Jimmy Brooks | 8,539 | 27.0 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lamont Bagby | 13,552 | 89.84 | |
| Republican | Stephen J. Imholt | 1,495 | 9.91 | |
| Write-In | Write In | 37 | 0.25 | |
| Total votes | 15,084 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chair of theVirginia Democratic Party 2025–present | Incumbent |