Strother files to seek Republican nomination in new 59th House District

Henrico attorney and businessman Philip Strother Monday announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for the newly redrawn 59th House of Delegates district seat, which includes a portion of northwestern Henrico, as well as Hanover and Louisa counties.

No incumbent delegate lives within the district.

"With Governor Youngkin's historic election, it is more important now than ever to have someone representing Henrico, Hanover and Louisa Counties who will hit the ground running to take the ball down the field for our values and future while we have Governor Youngkin in office to sign legislation into law,” Strother said in a statement announcing his run. “I am all-in to lead for a strong future for our children, protect life, repeal unconstitutional red flag laws, get our economic engine revving again post-COVID, and putting people first."

Strother and his wife, Danielle, are parents of three children who graduated from Henrico County Public Schools. The family has lived in the district for two decades, according to his statement.

Strother’s family owns Philip Carter Winery and Valley View Farm in Northern Virginia’s Fauquier County. His law practice has been involved in cases about educational access for disadvantaged and disabled students.

The next General Assembly election is planned for November 2023, but legal challenges could move it up a year, to this November. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia is among the organizations calling for earlier elections as a way to ensure that the districts recently redrawn through the state's reapportionment process take effect sooner.