Christopher T. Head (born January 13, 1963) is an American politician. A Republican, he currently serves in the Senate of Virginia, representing the 3rd district which includes all of Alleghany County, Botetourt County, Craig County, Rockbridge County, Buena Vista, Covington, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro, and parts of Augusta County and Roanoke County. He previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2012 to 2024, representing the 17th district, made up parts of Botetourt and Roanoke counties and the city of Roanoke, in the western part of the state.
Early life, education, business career Chris Head grew up in Commerce, Georgia. He received a BMus degree from the University of Georgia in 1985. Shortly after he moved to Virginia, where he was a small business owner. In 2001, Chris and his wife, Besty, co-founded a franchise of Home Instead Senior Care, an in-home health care service business. They have three children. He is a deacon at his church, Bonsack Baptist, and sings in the choir. He is a member of multiple civic and philanthropic organizations in the Roanoke Valley and in 2009 was awarded the Roanoke Regional Small Business of the Year.
Political career When William Fralin retired from representing Virginia's 17th House of Delegates district in 2009, Head ran for the Republican nomination. He finished second in a five-way primary to William Cleaveland.
Cleaveland chose not to run for a second term in 2011, and Head was nominated to replace him. Head defeated Democratic candidate Freeda S. Cathcart in the general election, 11,852-6,207.
In the House, Head most recently served as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Health, Welfare, and Institutions, as well as on the House Committee on Commerce and Labor, the House Committee on Privileges and Elections, and the House Committee on Rules. He previously served on the House Committee on Appropriations, House Committee on Finance, and the House Committee on Military, Police, & Public Safety. He also served on the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, which reviews regulations of the executive branch. He is also the founder and chairman of the Business Development Caucus in the House of Delegates. He previously served as co-chair of the Virginia Small Business Commission.
Following redistricting, Head sought election to the Virginia Senate in 2023. Head secured the Republican nomination uncontested and later defeated Democratic candidate Jade Harris in the general election (65.88% to 33.99%). He currently serves on the Senate Committee on Education & Health, the Senate Committee on General Laws & Technology, and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation & Social Services.
Electoral history Date Election Candidate Party Votes % Virginia House of Delegates, 17th district June 9, 2009 Republican primary Bill H. Cleaveland 893 28.04 Christopher T. Head 769 24.15 Michael A. "Mike" Wray 613 19.25 Josh C. Johnson 549 17.24 Melvin E. Williams 360 11.30 November 8, 2011 General Christopher T. Head Republican 11,852 65.46 Freeda L. Cathcart Democratic 6,207 34.28 Write-ins 44 0.24 William Cleaveland retired; seat stayed Republican November 5, 2013 General Christopher T. Head Incumbent Republican 15,222 62 Freeda L. Cathcart Democratic 9,262 37.7 Write-ins 68 0.3June 9, 2015 Republican PrimaryChristopher T. Head Incumbent 1,284 57.7Harry Griego1,15247.3November 3, 2015 GeneralChristopher T. Head Incumbent Republican15,091 96.5All others5403.5November 7, 2017 GeneralChristopher T. Head Incumbent Republican15,997 60.6Djuna Osborne Democratic10,37839.3All others390.1November 5, 2019 GeneralChristopher T. Head Incumbent Republican15,288 93.5All others1,0586.5November 2, 2021 GeneralChristopher T. Head Incumbent Republican26,102 92.8All others2,0117.2Senate of Virginia, 3rd districtNovember 7, 2023 GeneralChristopher T. Head Republican41,38165.88Jade D. Harris Democratic21,35333.99All others/Write-In830.13
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External links
(campaign/constituent website)