Chuck Robb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chuck Robb
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Robb in 2019 at the LBJ Library
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| Chair of the Iraq Intelligence Commission | |
| In office February 6, 2004 – March 31, 2005 Served with Laurence Silberman |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| United States Senator from Virginia |
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| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Trible |
| Succeeded by | George Allen |
| 64th Governor of Virginia | |
| In office January 16, 1982 – January 18, 1986 |
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| Lieutenant | Dick Davis |
| Preceded by | John N. Dalton |
| Succeeded by | Gerald L. Baliles |
| 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
| In office January 14, 1978 – January 16, 1982 |
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| Governor | John Dalton |
| Preceded by | John Dalton |
| Succeeded by | Dick Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Spittal Robb
June 26, 1939 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | McLean, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) University of Virginia (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1961–1970 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Bronze Star Presidential Service Badge |
Charles Spittal Robb (born June 26, 1939), known as Chuck Robb, is an American former Marine Corps officer and a well-known politician. He served as the 64th Governor of Virginia from 1982 to 1986. Later, he became a U.S. Senator representing Virginia from 1989 to 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Robb is also the son-in-law of Lyndon B. Johnson, who was the 36th President of the United States. He married President Johnson's daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson, in 1967. Their wedding was the first to take place in the White House since 1942.
After his time in the Senate, Robb co-chaired the Iraq Intelligence Commission from 2004 to 2005. He also served on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board starting in 2006. Since 2001, he has been a member of the board of trustees for the MITRE Corporation, which is a non-profit organization that works with the government.
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Early Life and Education
Charles Robb was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 26, 1939. His parents were Frances Howard (Woolley) and James Spittal Robb. He grew up in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, Virginia. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School.
He first attended Cornell University. Then, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1961. After college, Robb joined the United States Marine Corps. He was an honor graduate from Quantico, a training school for Marine officers.
While serving in the Marine Corps, Robb became a White House social aide. This is where he met Lynda Johnson, the daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson. They later married. Robb served in the Vietnam War, where he led a combat company. He received the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Star for his bravery. He was promoted to the rank of major.
After his military service, Robb went to law school. He earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Virginia Law School in 1973. A Juris Doctor is a professional degree in law. After law school, he worked as a law clerk for a judge. He then joined a private law firm in McLean, Virginia. Robb became active in Virginia politics as a Democrat.
Political Career
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In 1977, Charles Robb won the election to become Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. The lieutenant governor is the second-highest official in the state's executive branch. Robb was the only Democrat to win a statewide office that year. This made him an important leader for the Democratic Party in Virginia. He served as lieutenant governor from 1978 to 1982.
Governor of Virginia
In 1981, Robb ran for Governor of Virginia and won. He led the Democratic Party to victory in the state. His leadership was seen as a success, and Democrats won all three statewide offices again in 1985. As a campaigner, Robb was known for being thoughtful and detailed. He often spoke about complex policy issues.
As governor, Robb was seen as a moderate politician. He was known for being careful with state money (fiscally conservative). He also supported a strong national defense and was open to new ideas on social issues. During his term, he balanced the state budget without raising taxes. He also added $1 billion for education. He appointed many women and minority individuals to state positions. This included the first African American to the state Supreme Court. He was also the first Virginia governor in 25 years to use the death penalty.
Robb helped create the Super Tuesday primary, which gave Southern states more influence in presidential elections. He also helped found the Democratic Leadership Council. This group aimed to modernize the Democratic Party. He was very popular in Virginia during the 1980s. For a time, people even thought he might run for president or vice president.
United States Senator
Robb later served as a U.S. Senator for Virginia from 1989 to 2001. He was elected in 1988 with a large majority of the votes. In the Senate, Robb was often considered a centrist. This means he held views that were in the middle of the political spectrum. He often worked to find common ground between Democrats and Republicans.
In 1991, he supported using military force to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait. He also voted to confirm Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1992, he chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Under his leadership, the committee raised record amounts of money. This helped elect seven new Democrats to the Senate, including four new female senators. This period was sometimes called "The Year of the Woman."
Robb held more liberal views on social issues. He voted for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. He also voted against the execution of minors. He opposed a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. In 1993, he supported the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexuals in the armed forces. Three years later, he was the only senator from a Southern state to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act. He believed this law was wrong and would lead to discrimination.
In 1994, Robb won re-election to the Senate. He defeated Oliver North in a close race, even though he spent much less money. After his re-election, Robb continued to support careful spending and a strong national defense. He was the only Senate Democrat to vote for all parts of the Republican Party's "Contract with America." This included a Balanced Budget Amendment and a line item veto. He was also the only senator to serve on all three national security committees: Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence. After two terms in the Senate, he was defeated in 2000 by former governor George Allen. Robb was the only Democratic senator to lose his seat in that election.
Later Career
After leaving the Senate, Robb taught at George Mason University School of Law. In 2004, he was appointed co-chair of the Iraq Intelligence Commission. This group investigated U.S. intelligence before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2006, he joined the U.S. President's Intelligence Advisory Board. He also served on the Iraq Study Group with former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.
Robb has been a member of the board of trustees for the MITRE Corporation since 2001. He also helps lead the National Security Project (NSP) at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He is a former member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations. He also serves on the board of directors for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. In 2021, he published his autobiography, called In the Arena: A Memoir of Love, War, and Politics.
Personal Life
Robb married Lynda Bird Johnson Robb, the daughter of President Lyndon Baines and Lady Bird Johnson, in 1967. They have three daughters named Jennifer, Catherine, and Lucinda. They also have five grandchildren. The family lives in McLean, Virginia.
In December 2021, their home caught fire. Senator and Mrs. Robb were taken to the hospital. Robb was treated for burns and released. His wife was treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns. The fire destroyed their home, along with many books, photos, and historic items.
See also
- Wallace Estill Sr. House
