71st Governor of Virginia
Robert F. McDonnell - Short Bio
Bob McDonnell was sworn in as the 71st governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 16, 2010. In his campaign for the office he received nearly 59% of the vote, and the most votes of any candidate for governor in Virginia history.
As Virginia’s Chief Executive, he has built a record of results.
Governor McDonnell inherited an unprecedented $6 billion in budget shortfalls. He defeated a proposed $2 billion increase in the state income tax, kept existing car tax relief in place and brought Democrats and Republicans together to close the shortfall without a single tax increase, producing a $400 million surplus. During that same time 80% of McDonnell’s legislative proposals passed Virginia’s bi-partisan General Assembly.
In 2011, McDonnell saw 92% of his legislative proposals pass the bi-partisan General Assembly, including his plan that makes the largest investment in transportation in Virginia in a generation, and legislation to make college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students.
Job creation and economic development remain the governor’s top priority. The unemployment rate in Virginia has fallen from 7.2% when McDonnell took office to 5.6% today, and Virginia was recently named by CNBC as “The Best State for Business” in the country.
Governor McDonnell represents Virginia in other leadership roles outside of the Commonwealth as well. He currently serves as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board, Chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board, and Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Governors Association.
The governor has dedicated his life to public service. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997.
Upon graduating from law school in 1989 he served as a Virginia Beach prosecutor. McDonnell was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991 and served 14 years representing Virginia Beach. He was elected as the 44th attorney general of Virginia in 2005. As attorney general, McDonnell kept all seven of his campaign promises and successfully passed 92 of his 105 legislative proposals, with strong bipartisan support.
McDonnell was raised in Fairfax County. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame (BBA), Boston University (MSBA) and Regent University (JD and MA). In addition, he has received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the College of William and Mary, and an honorary doctor of humane letters from Virginia Commonwealth University. He and his wife Maureen have been married for 35 years. They have 5 children, ages 20-31. Their oldest daughter, Jeanine, served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq in 2005-2006.
Key Bio Points
- Received the most votes of any candidate for governor in Virginia history
- Closed two budget shortfalls of $1.8 billion and $4.2 billion without raising taxes
- Reduced state spending to 2006 levels
- Finished first two fiscal years in office with budget surpluses of $400 million and $311 million
- McDonnell’s transportation package will put the most new funding into Virginia roads, rail and transit in a generation
- Married 35 years to Maureen McDonnell
- Father of 5 children
- Oldest daughter, Jeanine, was Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is an Iraq War veteran
- McDonnell served 21 years in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and reserves
- Retired as a Lt. Colonel
- Has a master’s degree in business administration and public policy, as well as a law degree
- Serves as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association
- Serves as Chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board
- Serves as Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Governors Association
- Served as Chairman of the Southern States Energy Board