House Repuiblicans elected Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, as their new caucus leader Sunday, following Del. Todd Gilbert’s offer to step down amid his pursuit of a federal appointment.
The leadership shake-up drew interest from multiple House Republicans. Delegates Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County; Kilgore; and Michael Webert, R-Fauquier, were all lobbying for support. McNamara never officially threw his name into the race, however. Only Kilgore and Webert made their case in speeches to the caucus before the vote took place.
House Republicans ultimately selected Kilgore.
“I’m honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me,” Kilgore said in a statement after the meeting. “We need disciplined leadership, a unified message, and a clear strategy to take back the House. I’m ready to get to work.”
Gilbert congratulated Kilgore in a statement on social media and said he looks forward to helping him in any way he can.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin congratulated Kilgore and thanked Gilbert for his work as caucus leader.
“Thank you to [Todd Gilbert] for your years of principled leadership as Speaker and Republican Leader,” Youngkin wrote. “Your strong voice for common sense has made a lasting positive impact, and I so appreciate your friendship.”
Gilbert is under consideration for the U.S. attorney post in Virginia’s Western District, a position that requires Senate confirmation and could force him to leave elected office. Both U.S. Senators from Virginia—Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner—have recommended Gilbert and Robert Tracci, a senior assistant attorney general and former prosecutor, for the nomination.
Gilbert has led the House Republican caucus since 2018 and served as Speaker from 2022 to 2024. But with all 100 House seats on the ballot this November and the potential for him to have to leave abruptly if appointed, Gilbert recently told Virginia Scope he would hand over the reins if his colleagues call for it.
“The team we’ve built can’t afford sudden disruptions—either in planning or leadership,” Gilbert said. “While I remain fully engaged in the fight to restore our Republican majority, there’s a chance I may need to step away from politics on short notice. If that moment comes, I want to make sure the transition is smooth and responsible, with a clear runway in place.”
Kilgore was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1993. He has sought the House Republican leadership position on multiple occasions.
On election night in 2021, when it was clear that Republicans would have the majority and choose the new Speaker of the House, Kilgore put his name up to challenge Gilbert, R-Shenandoah.
Gilbert was able to garner enough support to retain his spot at the top of the caucus and serve as Speaker. Kilgore served as majority leader.
The decision comes at a critical moment for the GOP. Democrats currently hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the House, and Republicans are aiming to retake control in November.