Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx. Virginia Ann Foxx is an American educator, businesswoman, and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 5th congressional district since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, she has held leadership roles including Secretary of the House Republican Conference and, since 2023, Chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Known as a staunch conservative, her career has been marked by advocacy for limited government, educational policy, and pro-business legislation.

Early life and education

Virginia Ann Foxx was born in New York City and raised in Watauga County, North Carolina. She attended Appalachian State University for two years before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in sociology. She later received a Doctor of Education in curriculum and teaching from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Before entering politics, Foxx worked as a secretary and held various roles in education, including serving as a professor and administrator at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and as president of Mayland Community College.

Political career

Foxx began her political career in local government, serving on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and in the North Carolina Senate. She was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, succeeding Richard Burr. In the Congress, she has served on several influential committees, including the House Rules Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. She was elected Secretary of the House Republican Conference in the 113th United States Congress and held that post through the 114th United States Congress. In 2023, following the 2022 elections, she was selected by the House Republican Conference to chair the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Political positions

Foxx is a consistent conservative vote, aligning with groups like the American Conservative Union and Heritage Foundation. She is a strong opponent of the Affordable Care Act and has advocated for its repeal. On education, she has supported policies promoting school choice and has been critical of the Department of Education and federal student loan forgiveness programs. She is a proponent of deregulation and has voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Foxx is staunchly anti-abortion, receiving high ratings from the National Right to Life Committee, and is a supporter of Second Amendment rights. She has also been vocal in oversight of the Biden administration, particularly regarding pandemic spending and higher education policy.

Electoral history

Foxx first won election to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, defeating Democratic candidate Jim Harrell Jr.. She has been re-elected consistently by wide margins in the historically Republican North Carolina's 5th congressional district. Her notable re-election campaigns include victories over opponents such as Billy Kennedy in 2010 and Josh Brannon in 2014. In the 2022 election, she defeated Democratic nominee Kyle Parrish. The district's boundaries were altered following the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, but it has remained a Republican stronghold.

Personal life

Foxx is married to Tom Foxx, a retired contractor. They reside in Watauga County and have two grandchildren. She is a member of the Appalachian State University board of trustees and has been involved with various community organizations, including the Watauga County Republican Party. An avid gardener, Foxx has maintained a connection to her Appalachian roots throughout her tenure in Washington, D.C..

Category:1943 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina Category:North Carolina Republicans Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Category:University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni