Bob Marshall (Virginia politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Marshall
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Marshall in 2012
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| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 13th district |
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| In office January 8, 1992 – January 10, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Joan H. Munford |
| Succeeded by | Danica Roem |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Gerald Marshall
May 3, 1944 Takoma Park, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Catherine Ann Fonseca |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | Manassas, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Montgomery College (AA) Belmont Abbey College (BA) California State University, Northridge (MA) |
| Signature |  |
Robert Gerald Marshall (born May 3, 1944) is an American businessman, author, and former politician. He was a member of the Republican party. Marshall served in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 13th District. This district included parts of Prince William and Loudoun counties.
He was known for supporting laws related to traditional family values. One notable law he supported was the Marshall-Newman Amendment. This amendment defined marriage as between one man and one woman in Virginia. In the November 7, 2017, general election, Marshall lost his seat. He was defeated by Danica Roem, who became the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature in the United States.
In 2008, Marshall ran for a United States Senate seat. He lost the Republican nomination to Jim Gilmore. In 2012, he ran for the U.S. Senate again but lost in the Republican primary to George Allen.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bob Marshall received his education from several colleges. He attended Montgomery College, Belmont Abbey College, and California State University, Northridge. Before becoming a politician, Marshall worked for an organization that focused on family issues. He also served as its executive director for a time. Marshall is a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, Virginia. His sister is the actress Paula Marshall.
Virginia House of Delegates
Winning Elections
In 1991, Bob Marshall ran for the 13th District seat in the House of Delegates. The seat was open due to new district boundaries. Marshall won against Democrat Dale Reynolds with 58% of the vote. After this first win, Marshall was re-elected many times. He won every election until 2017, except for 2003 when he ran unopposed. In 2017, he lost to Danica Roem. His past election wins included 66% in 1993, 80% in 1995, 85% in 1997, 61% in 1999, 63% in 2001, 55% in 2005, 58% in 2007, 61% in 2009, 60% in 2011, 51% in 2013, and 56% in 2015.
Key Actions and Views
Government Spending and Taxes
In 2007, Marshall expressed concerns about how the House of Delegates Republican leaders were managing government spending. He believed spending was increasing too much. He also felt that important decisions were made by a small group, without enough input from other members.
Marshall was also very critical of a 2006 law. This law allowed certain regions in Virginia to raise money for transportation projects. He argued that the state constitution did not allow unelected groups to collect taxes. The Supreme Court of Virginia agreed with Marshall in 2008. They ruled that the law was unconstitutional. This decision had a big impact on transportation funding in Virginia.
Views on Family Issues
Marshall was known for his strong views on family and social issues. He believed in traditional family structures. In 2004, he supported the "Affirmation of Marriage Act." This law stated that Virginia would only recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
He later sponsored the Marshall-Newman Amendment to the state constitution in 2005. This amendment went further. It prohibited same-sex marriage, civil unions, and other similar legal arrangements. Voters approved this amendment in 2006. However, in 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, meant that Virginia's ban was no longer valid.
Public Facilities and Privacy
In 2017, Marshall introduced a bill called the "Physical Privacy Act." This bill aimed to set rules for using restrooms and changing facilities. It proposed that people should use facilities based on their sex assigned at birth. The bill also suggested that public school principals should inform parents if a student asked to be recognized as a different gender.
Guns in Schools
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Marshall proposed new legislation. He suggested that teachers or school staff should be allowed to carry concealed handguns in public schools. This was meant as a way to increase safety.
Committee Assignments
During his time in the House of Delegates, Bob Marshall served on several important committees:
- House Finance Committee
- House Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee
- House Science and Technology Committee
Running for U.S. Senate
2008 Senate Race
On January 7, 2008, Marshall announced he would run for the U.S. Senate seat. This seat was being left open by John Warner. Marshall competed against former Governor Jim Gilmore for the Republican nomination. Marshall had more conservative views than Gilmore on some social issues. He lost the nomination to Gilmore.
2012 Senate Race
In January 2012, Marshall confirmed he would run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate again. The seat was held by the retiring Jim Webb. Marshall formally announced his candidacy on January 16, 2012. He lost in the Republican primary on June 12, 2012. He finished third out of four candidates.
Running for U.S. House of Representatives
In February 2014, Marshall decided to run for the District 10 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This seat was being vacated by Frank Wolf. Marshall faced several other Republican challengers, including Barbara Comstock. Comstock won the Republican primary in April 2014 with 54% of the vote. Marshall came in second place with 28% of the vote.
Personal Life
Bob Marshall is married to Catherine Ann Fonseca. They have five children together: Teresa, Christopher (who is deceased), Mary Clare, Joseph, and Thomas.
Images for kids
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Bob Marshall's signature
