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 "excerpt": "Terry Kilgore is an American Republican politician representing southwest Virginia in the House of Delegates since 1994, now House Republican leader and a former Majority Leader.",
 "snippet": "Terry Kilgore is an American Republican politician representing southwest Virginia in the House of Delegates since 1994, now House Republican leader and a former Majority Leader.",
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 "markdown": "# Terry Kilgore\n\nTerry Kilgore is an American politician serving as a member of the [Virginia House of Delegates](https://www.edgepedia.org/virginia-house-of-delegates) and as the House Republican leader (Minority Leader). A Republican, he was elected to represent the 1st District in 1993 and began serving in the House of Delegates in January 1994; he previously served as Majority Leader of the House of Delegates.<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup>\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n| --- | --- |\n| Party | Republican<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup> |\n| Current office | Minority Leader, Virginia House of Delegates<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup> |\n| Previous offices | Majority Leader of the House of Delegates<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup> |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nKilgore is a Republican.<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup> He serves as the House GOP Leader (Minority Leader) for the House Republican caucus.<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup>\n\n## Early life and education\n\nKilgore resides in Gate City, Virginia, with his wife Debbie. Together, they have two children and two granddaughters.<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup> In addition to his political role, he practices law and serves as the Rector of the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia.<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup>\n\n## Career\n\nKilgore has represented the 1st legislative district in the Virginia House of Delegates since 1993. His current district (the 45th) consists of the Counties of Dickenson (part), Lee, Scott, and Wise, and the City of Norton.<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup>\n\nHe has served as Majority Leader of the House of Delegates. His committee service includes serving as Vice Chair of the House Commerce and Energy Committee, being the longest sitting member on the House Courts of Justice Committee, and serving on the House Rules Committee. He also serves on the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, the Coal and Energy Commission, and the Southwest Virginia Health Authority.<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup>\n\nKilgore won re-election to represent the 45th District on November 4, 2025, defeating Democrat Joshua C. \"Josh\" Outsey 82.74% to 16.66%; his current term ends January 12, 2028.<sup>[2](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/)</sup>\n\n## Issues specific to Kilgore\n\n### 2026–2028 biennial budget\n\nIn June 2026, Kilgore issued a statement on the passage of the 2026–2028 biennial budget. He said, \"The budget has finally passed, but not in a manner that should make any Virginian proud.\" He stated that, more than 100 days after the General Assembly adjourned, lawmakers were forced to consider a budget that was substantially rewritten at the last minute and loaded with policy provisions that he said should have been debated openly during the regular legislative session. He also said, \"with one party controlling the Governor's Mansion, the House, and the Senate, Virginians should expect a budget process that is transparent, timely, and accountable,\" adding, \"We never should have been put in this position, and taxpayers deserve better than governing by deadline and last-minute negotiations.\"<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup>\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### State budget process\n\nKilgore has argued that the state budget process should be transparent, timely, and accountable, and that policy provisions should be debated openly during the regular legislative session rather than added in last-minute rewrites.<sup>[1](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)</sup>\n\n## References\n\n1. [House GOP Leader Kilgore Statement on 2026-2028 Budget Vote](https://virginiahouse.gop/2026/06/22/house-gop-leader-kilgore-statement-on-2026-2028-budget-vote/)\n2. [Meet Terry – Terry Kilgore – Virginia House of Delegates](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/about/)\n3. [Terry Kilgore – Virginia House of Delegates](https://www.delegatekilgore.com/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Southern state legislators › Surnames Ho to K*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
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 "credit": "\"Terry Kilgore\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[Terry Kilgore](https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore](https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
 "credit_html": "\"<a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore\">Terry Kilgore</a>\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore\">https://www.edgepedia.org/terry-kilgore</a>. <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\">Edgepedia Community License 1.0</a>.",
 "speakable": "Terry Kilgore is an American Republican politician representing southwest Virginia in the House of Delegates since 1994, now House Republican leader and a former Majority Leader."
}