About

The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus is the legislative and political arm of Republicans serving in the Senate of Virginia. 

The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly consisting of forty members who represent single-member districts.  It was created through the Virginia Constitution ratified in 1776.  Prior to that time, the upper house of the General Assembly was known as the Governor’s Council and consisted of individuals appointed by the Governor of Virginia.  Senators serve four-year terms and all stand for election at the same time.  The next regular election for Senators will be in 2015. 

In 1996, Republicans reached parity when they took control of half of the Senate seats for the first time.  That was followed by Republicans taking an outright majority in 1998 which they held until 2008.  In 2011, Republicans regained parity with 20 seats and gained a working majoirty based on the Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.  The current partisan breakdown of the Senate is 21 Republicans and 19 Democrats.

Since 1976, the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus has been led by the Senate Republican Leader who serves as the Majority or Minority Leader of the Senate depending on partisan control.  When Republicans hold a majority, the Senate President Pro Tempore is also a Republican. 

When the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is a Republican, he or she also serves as an ex-officio member of the Caucus.