Greg Habeeb
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 8th district
In office
January 12, 2011 – August 31, 2018
Preceded byMorgan Griffith
Succeeded byJoe McNamara
Personal details
Born (1976-06-15) June 15, 1976
Syracuse, New York
Political partyRepublican
SpouseChristy Habeeb
ChildrenDaniel, William, Anna
ResidenceSalem, Virginia
Alma materWake Forest University
ProfessionLawyer
CommitteesCourts of Justice; Transportation; Commerce and Labor; Rules
Websitewww.greghabeeb.com

Gregory D. Habeeb (born June 15, 1976) is a lawyer and American politician in Southwest Virginia. He is a conservative Republican and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 8th district, which includes the City of Salem, Craig County, and parts of Roanoke and Montgomery Counties from January 2011 to August 31, 2018.

Education

Habeeb was born in Syracuse, New York and was raised in Christiansburg, Virginia. He attended Christiansburg High School and was an active member in the YMCA's Model General Assembly Program. He served as Youth Governor and remained interested in politics.

Habeeb attended Wake Forest University in North Carolina, earning an undergraduate degree in 1998. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 2001. While at Wake Forest, he met his future wife, Christy.

Family

Greg and Christy Habeeb have three children and live in Salem, Virginia. He is a partner at Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore, a business law firm in Roanoke, Virginia. Habeeb and his family attend the Restoration Church in Salem. Habeeb is a volunteer with Young Life, a youth ministry, and formerly served on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia. He volunteers at the Military Family Support Center in Salem. Habeeb is of Lebanese descent.[1]

Political career

Habeeb got his start in politics during college as intern for then Governor George Allen and subsequently for then Senator John Warner (R-VA). After practicing law in Richmond, Virginia from 2001-2004, Habeeb moved back to the Roanoke Valley.

In 2007 he was elected Chairman of the Salem Republican Committee. During his tenure, the Salem Republican Committee grew from about 10 members to over 120 members. His work as Salem Republican Committee Chair was recognized by the Republican Party of Virginia which named him its statewide Unit Chair of the Year in 2007 and the 6th District Unit Chair of the Year in 2008. During this time, Habeeb also worked closely with then Delegate Morgan Griffith, who was the House Majority Leader. In November 2010, Griffith was elected to Congress in Virginia's 9th Congressional District, defeating long-time incumbent Rick Boucher. Griffith resigned from the House of Delegates in December. Habeeb, initially uninterested, reconsidered after receiving calls from many community members and several prominent party officials.

On July 27, 2018, he announced that he would resign from the House of Delegates effective August 31, 2018, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.[2]

Electoral history

DateElectionCandidatePartyVotes %
Virginia House of Delegates, 8th district
Jan 11, 2011[3] Special Gregory D. Habeeb Republican 6,570 63.52
Ginger R. Mumpower Democratic 3,747 36.22
Write Ins 26 0.25
Morgan Griffith was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; seat stayed Republican
Nov 8, 2011[4] General Gregory D. Habeeb Republican 14,882 96.54
Write Ins 533 3.45
Nov 8, 2013[5] General Gregory D. Habeeb Republican 20,058 95.63
Write Ins 916 4.37
Nov 3, 2015[6] General Gregory D. Habeeb Republican 16,684 95.96
Write Ins 702 4.04
Nov 7, 2017 [7] General Gregory D. Habeeb Republican 18,311 63.89
Steve G. McBride Democratic 10,294 35.92
Write Ins 54 0.19

2011 special election

Habeeb announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 8th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates on November 7, 2010. His candidacy was supported by, among others, Congressman-elect Griffith, 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Virginia State Senator Ralph Smith.[8]

Habeeb was also endorsed during his primary by Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Due in part to the overwhelming level of support he received by party leaders and Republican voters, Habeeb ultimately won the Republican nomination without opposition. McDonnell set the date for the special election as January 11, 2011 - giving candidates just under two months to campaign. Habeeb's opponent was Democrat Ginger Mumpower, a business owner from Roanoke County. Habeeb defeated Mumpower by a margin of 64% to 36%, winning every precinct in the District.

2011 re-election

Habeeb announced in April 2011 his intention to seek a full term in the House of Delegates.[9] Habeeb went unchallenged for the Republican nomination and eventually won re-election without opposition.

2013 re-election

In 2013, Habeeb went unchallenged for the Republican nomination and eventually won re-election to a second full term without opposition.

2015 re-election

In 2015, Habeeb went unchallenged for the Republican nomination and eventually won re-election to a third full term without opposition.

2017 re-election

In 2017, Habeeb went unchallenged for the Republican nomination and eventually won re-election to a fourth full term, defeating Democrat Steve McBride, a teacher and scientist who works at Virginia Tech. Habeeb defeated McBride with a margin of 64% to 36%.[10]

Member of the Virginia General Assembly

Habeeb was sworn-in as a member of the Virginia General Assembly just over 14 hours after thanking his supporters on Election night.

During his first session, Habeeb sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at reducing the size of government, making it more efficient, transparent and accountable.[11]

He was initially assigned to three committees: House Courts of Justice, House Transportation and House Militia, Police, and Public Safety.[12]

After serving just half a term in the House, Habeeb was appointed to the influential House Committee on Commerce & Labor. In addition, he currently also serves on the Courts of Justice and Privileges and Elections committee. Habeeb was also appointed to the important Rules committee, which is in charge of determining under what rule a bill will be considered under.[13]

Habeeb announced that he would resign his House of Delegates seat on July 27, 2018. He resigned in order to be a full-time dad and take a more significant role at the Gentry Locke law firm.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Fain, Travis (November 16, 2015). "Republicans call for Syrian refugee moratorium in Virginia". Daily Press. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Del. Greg Habeeb resigns House of Delegates seat, special election to be set". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  3. ↑ "January 2011 House of Delegates Special Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  4. ↑ "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  5. ↑ "November 2013 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  6. ↑ "November 2015 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections.
  7. ↑ "November 2017 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections.
  8. ↑ Habeeb makes it official, with Griffith and Goodlatte at his side Archived 2013-02-01 at archive.today, roanoke.com; accessed September 20, 2014.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ Sims, Caslee. "Election 2017: A reader's guide to Tuesday's big Election Day in Virginia". Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  11. ↑ Delegate Greg Habeeb | Session Recap
  12. ↑ Virginia General Assembly
  13. ↑ "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  14. ↑ Chittum, Matt. "Del. Greg Habeeb resigns House of Delegates seat, special election to be set". Retrieved 23 November 2018.
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