Richard Stuart


Richard Henry Stuart is an American politician and attorney. A Republican, he was elected to the Senate of Virginia in November 2007. He currently represents the 28th district, made up of six counties and parts of two others in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and northern Piedmont, including part of the city of Fredericksburg.

Early life and education

Stuart was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Wesleyan University and Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law. Stuart also studied international law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Career

Stuart has represented Virginia's 28th Senate district since 2008. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources and also sits on the following Senate committees: Commerce and Labor; Courts of Justice; Finance; and Rules.

Education reform

Stuart has advocated for allowing students to approve tuition increases at Virginia public colleges and universities. In 2019, he introduced a bill that would require students to vote on proposed tuition increases before the governing board is able to vote on them. Under the proposed legislation, a two-thirds majority of students would need to approve them.

Robert E. Lee speech

In February 2018, Stuart gave a speech praising Robert E. Lee, resulting in Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, who normally presides over the Virginia Senate, to walk off the podium rather than preside over the Senate during the speech.