Morgan Griffith

Howard Morgan Griffith (born March 15, 1958) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 9th congressional district since 2011. The district covers a large swath of southwestern Virginia, including the New River Valley and the Virginia side of the Tri-Cities. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Freedom Caucus.

Morgan Griffith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 9th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byRick Boucher
Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
January 12, 2000 – December 5, 2010
Preceded byRichard Cranwell
Succeeded byKirk Cox
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 8th district
In office
January 12, 1994 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byG. Steven Agee
Succeeded byGreg Habeeb
Personal details
Born
Howard Morgan Griffith

(1958-03-15) March 15, 1958
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Hilary Davis
Children3
EducationEmory and Henry College (BA)
Washington and Lee University (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

He was the majority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates and represented the 8th District, serving from 1994 until 2011. The district included all of Salem, Virginia and parts of Roanoke County.[1]

Early life, education, and career

Griffith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but his family moved to Salem, Virginia while he was a baby. He attended Andrew Lewis High School, graduating in 1976. He attended Emory and Henry College, graduating in 1980. Griffith completed his education with a J.D. from the Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1983.[2]

After law school, Griffith settled in Salem where he worked as a private attorney with a focus on traffic violations and DUI. On June 23, 2008, Albo & Oblon LLP, a law firm run by fellow Republican delegate Dave Albo, announced that Griffith was joining the firm as head of its new Roanoke/Salem office.[3]

Early political career

Griffith first became seriously involved in politics in 1986, when he was chosen as the chairman of the Salem Republican Party. He held that position from 1986 to 1988 and from 1991 to 1994.

Virginia House of Delegates

In 1993, Griffith was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, defeating Democrat Howard C. Packett. He served as the Vice-Chairman of the Rules Committee in the House of Delegates. He served on the Courts of Justice Committee, and was the chairman of its Criminal Law Subcommittee. He also served on the Commerce and Labor and the Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committees.[4] He was elected House Majority Leader in 2000 and was the first Republican to hold that position in Virginia's history.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections
2010
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 9

Griffith was the Republican nominee to face longtime U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher, who was first elected in 1982. His home in Salem was just outside the 9th's borders at the time; it was in the 6th District of fellow Republican Bob Goodlatte. However, most of his House of Delegates district was in the 9th.

Griffith jumped into the race after Boucher voted for the cap and trade bill. Boucher made much of the fact that Griffith didn't live in the district. In turn, Griffith branded Boucher as a rubber stamp for Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. Griffith narrowly won the election.[6]

2012
See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 9

Griffith defeated Democratic nominee Anthony Flaccavento 61.3 percent to 38.6 percent.[7]

2016
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 9

Griffith defeated Democrat Derek Kitts and Independent Janice Boyd with 68.59% of the vote.

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 9

In 2018, Griffith faces two Democratic opponents, Anthony Flaccavento and Justin Santopietro, and a Whig opponent, Scott Blankenship.[8]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history
Virginia House of Delegates, District 8: Results 1995 to 2009[14]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democratic Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
1995 Morgan Griffith 14,052 100% no candidate Write-ins 35 0%
1997 Morgan Griffith 15,383 100% no candidate Write-ins 12 0%
1999 Morgan Griffith 11,066 100% no candidate Write-ins 19 0%
2001 Morgan Griffith 17,401 70% D. Martin 7,581 30%
2003 Morgan Griffith 10,860 59% M Q Emick Sr. 7,469 41%
2005 Morgan Griffith 20,484 98% no candidate Write-ins 417 2%
2007 Morgan Griffith 13,670 96% no candidate Write-ins 563 4%
2009 Morgan Griffith 16,790 69% E. Carter Turner III 7,563 31%
Virginia's 9th congressional district
Year Republican Votes Pct Democratic Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2010 Morgan Griffith 95,726 51.2% Rick Boucher 86,743 46.4% Jeremiah Heaton Independent 4,282 2.3%
2012 Morgan Griffith 184,882 61.28% Anthony Flaccavento 116,400 38.58% Write-ins 376 0.12%
2014 Morgan Griffith 117,465 72.15% no candidate William Carr Independent 39,412 24.21%
2016 Morgan Griffith 212,838 68.6% Derek Kitts 87,877 28.3% Janice Allen Boyd Independent 9,050 2.9%
2018 Morgan Griffith 160,933 65.2% Anthony Flaccavento 85,833 34.8% Write-ins 214 0.1%

Political positions

Immigration

Griffith has voted to allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to enforce federal immigration laws to criminalize knowingly employing illegal immigrants or undocumented workers,[15] and also voted to criminalize possession of firearms by illegal aliens.[16]

Gay rights

While serving in the Virginia House of Delegates, Griffith supported a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage by defining marriage as between one man and one woman.[17] He voted in favor of a motion to effectively kill a bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for government employees in Virginia.[18]

Environment

In 2017, Griffith voted to nullify the Stream Protection Rule, which included improvements in the protection of water supplies, water quality, streams, fish and other wildlife that have the potential to be negatively affected by surface coal mining.[19] That same year, Griffith joined other members of the House of Representatives in passing an amendment to H.R. 3354, which undermined the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to enforce environmental standards in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which covers six states and the District of Columbia.[20][21]

Griffith is a proponent of "an 'all of the above' energy strategy" that utilizes both fossil fuel and renewable energy sources.[22] In 2011, Griffith joined other GOP members in urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to reconsider the ban on offshore drilling off Virginia's coast.[23]

Gun rights

Griffith voted in favor of several bills to reduce restrictions on gun ownership, including a bill to allow concealed weapons in vehicles without a permit[24] and to allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry their firearms in restaurants and bars.[25] Griffith also voted to prohibit consumption of alcohol while in possession of a concealed weapon.[26] In 2004 Griffith voted to prohibit carrying firearms or ammunition in the non-secure areas of airport terminals, including baggage claim areas.[27][28]

Health care

Early in 2010, Griffith voted in favor of a bill to prohibit any individual mandate to purchase health insurance.[29] This law passed Virginia's legislature before the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted, which Virginia has used to challenge the individual mandate in federal court.[30] However, on July 17, 2013 Griffith was the lone GOP member of the House to vote against delaying the implementation of the individual mandate.[31]

Just prior to the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, Griffith issued press release in which he endorsed the final House version of Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, which would have continued funding for federal government operations while delaying implementation of the Affordable Care Act.[32] Griffith voted against the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, the Senate-proposed compromise that ended the shutdown without defunding the Affordable Care Act.[33]

Death penalty

Griffith has voted consistently for expansions of the death penalty to include eligibility for accomplices to a murder, as well as for those who murder a judge or a witness.[34][35][36]

Abortion

When surveyed in 1999 on his political positions by Project Vote Smart, Griffith indicated that he supports legalized abortion in the first trimester and to save the life of the mother,[37] while favoring the restriction of abortion through parental notification laws and prohibition of partial-birth abortion. Griffith's voting record has generally been consistent with his 1999 survey, voting in favor of restrictions on late term abortions such as parental-notification and parental-consent, while voting against bills that would restrict first-term abortions. In 2010 Griffith voted to restrict state funding of abortions,[38] and to require abortion clinics to meet the same licensing requirements as surgical centers. In 2006 Griffith voted to restrict state funding for fetal stem cell research.[39]

In 2007 Griffith voted against [40] a bill in the Virginia General Assembly, HB 2797, which stated: "That life begins at the moment of fertilization and the right to enjoyment of life guaranteed by Article 1, § 1 of the Constitution of Virginia is vested in each born and preborn human being from the moment of fertilization"[41]

Griffith's 2010 campaign website reported that Griffith has a "100% pro-life" voting record and an "A" rating from the Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL). However, VSHL's report on 2007 legislation in Virginia omits reference to HB 2797[42] Project Vote Smart indicated that Griffith declined to take their survey again in 2010.[37]

Taxes and spending

Griffith supports raising the retirement age and reducing the number of American troops serving overseas as means of reducing the federal budget deficit.[43] Most recently, Griffith voted in favor of the November 2017 tax plan.[44]

Medical marijuana

In 2014, Griffith introduced legislation to move marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule II narcotic, which would effectively make the drug legal for medical purposes under federal law.[45]

Personal life

Griffith is married to the former Hilary Davis. The couple has three children. He is Episcopalian.[46] In 2014 he founded the Friends of Wales Caucus as a result of his Welsh heritage.[47]

On July 14, 2020, Griffith tested positive for COVID-19.[48]

References
  1. Giroux, Greg (2010-02-23). "Griffith Touts Support For Bid Against Boucher – The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  2. Zanona, Melanie (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Morgan Griffith, R-Va. (9th District)". Congressional Quarterly.
  3. "H. Morgan Griffith to join Albo & Oblon LLP". MarketWatch, Inc. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  4. "Virginia House of Delegates: Session 2002: Griffith, H. Morgan". Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  5. "About the Congressman". Archived from the original on 2011-12-27. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  6. "GOP's Griffith ousts 14-term Va. Democratic Rep. Boucher". The Virginian-Pilot. Associated Press. November 2, 2010.
  7. Archer, Bill (6 November 2012). "Griffith re-elected in Va.'s 'Fightin' Ninth'". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  8. "Virginia Whigs Endorse Blankenship for Congress". Virginia Modern Whig Party. February 13, 2018.
  9. "Members". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  10. "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  11. "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  12. "Boehner-vs.-Freedom-Caucus Battle Escalates"
  13. "Griffith Inducted Into House Liberty Caucus".
  14. Election Results Archived 2010-06-17 at the Wayback Machine Virginia State Board of Elections
  15. Project Vote Smart
  16. Virginia State Legislature archives
  17. Project Vote Smart website
  18. SB 66 – Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment – Voting Record
  19. Bill, Johnson (2017-02-16). "H.J.Res.38 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  20. Bob, Goodlatte (2017-09-07). "H.Amdt.354 to H.R.3354 - 115th Congress (2017-2018)". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  21. "Spotlight on FERC". POLITICO. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  22. "Energy and Environment | Congressman Morgan Griffith". morgangriffith.house.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  23. "Interior secretary urged to reconsider offshore drilling ban for Virginia". U.S. House of Representatives. 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  24. Project Vote Smart
  25. Project Vote Smart
  26. Project Vote Smart
  27. www.roanoke.com Archived 2012-09-13 at Archive.today
  28. Virginia State Legislature archives
  29. Project Vote Smart
  30. www.healthleadersmedia.com
  31. U.S. News & World Report: "House votes to postpone individual mandate"
  32. "Griffith Statement on Latest House Efforts to Keep the Government Open"
  33. Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 550
  34. Project Vote Smart
  35. Project Vote Smart
  36. Project Vote Smart
  37. Project Vote Smart
  38. Project Vote Smart
  39. Project Vote Smart
  40. Virginia State Legislature archives
  41. Virginia State Legislature archives
  42. www.12cups.org Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
  43. Melissa Hipolit (14 July 2011). "Local congressmen react to debt talks". TriCities.com. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  44. K.K. REBECCA LAI (16 November 2017). "How Every Member Voted on the House Tax Bill". New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  45. Jackman, Tom (30 April 2014). "Va. Rep. Griffith introduces federal 'Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act'". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  47. Bowman, Bridget (28 February 2014). "Dragons, Daffodils and a Drop of Whiskey for Welsh Caucus". Rollcall. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  48. https://twitter.com/RepMGriffith/status/1283070778351788034
Virginia House of Delegates
Preceded by
G. Steven Agee		 Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 8th district
1994–2011		 Succeeded by
Greg Habeeb
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Rick Boucher		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 9th congressional district
2011–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Paul Gosar		 United States Representatives by seniority
161st		 Succeeded by
Andy Harris
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