Israel O'Quinn

Israel D. O'Quinn
O'Quinn in 2022
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2012
Preceded byC. W. Carrico
Constituency5th district (2012–2024)
44th district (2024–present)
Personal details
Born (1980-03-05) March 5, 1980 (age 44)
Abingdon, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEmily Lauren Gentry
Residence(s)Washington County, Virginia, U.S.
EducationEmory and Henry College (BA)
OccupationBusinessperson
CommitteesPrivileges and Elections
Commerce and Labor
Militia, Police and Public Safety
Websitewww.israeloquinn.com

Israel Dean O'Quinn (born March 5, 1980) is an American politician. A Republican, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011. He currently represents the 44th district, made up of the cities of Bristol and Galax, Grayson County, and parts of Smyth and Washington counties in the southwestern part of the state.[1][2]

Early life, education, business career

O'Quinn graduated from Patrick Henry High School; he went on to receive a B.A. degree in political science and history from Emory and Henry College in 2002. After graduation, he worked in the office of the Attorney General of Virginia, Jerry Kilgore, and on several political campaigns. In 2006, he was hired by K-VA-T Food Stores, owners of the K-VA-T Food City regional supermarket chain, and currently serves as Director of the company's Office of Strategic Initiatives, in addition to chairing the company's Energy Conservation Committee.[1][2]

O'Quinn is married to Emily Lauren Gentry, a corporate communications professional.[1][2]

House of Delegates

In 2011, O'Quinn ran for the 5th district nomination when the incumbent, C. W. Carrico, decided to run for the state senate. He defeated independent candidate Michael D. Osborne in the general election, with 12,166 votes to 5,338.[3] In 2019, Osborne challenged O'Quinn for the Republican nomination for the 5th district, citing concerns with a casino proposed in Bristol and tolls on Interstate 81. O'Quinn introduced legislation in January 2019 that would allow residents of Bristol to vote in a referendums to allow a proposed casino to open and operate in the former Bristol Mall.[4] O'Quinn defeated Osborne, with 2,449 votes to 721.[5] O'Quinn ran unopposed in the November general election.

Electoral history

Date Election Candidate Party Votes %
Virginia House of Delegates, Washington, Scott and Bristol city district
Virginia House of Delegates, 5th district
Nov 8, 2011[3] General Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 12,166 69.28
Michael D. "Oz" Osborne 5,338 30.40
Write Ins 55 0.31
C. W. Carrico retired to run for Senate; seat remained Republican
Nov 5, 2013[6] General Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 16,771 98.7
Write Ins 224 1.3
Nov 3, 2015[7] General Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 12,771 98.7
Write Ins 169 1.3
Nov 7, 2017[8] General Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 18,402 97.3
Write Ins 518 2.7
Jun 11, 2019[9] Republican

Primary

Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 2,449 77.3
Michael D. Osborne Republican 721 22.7
Nov 5, 2019[10] General Israel D. O'Quinn Republican 18,487 97.65
Write Ins 444 2.35

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Virginia House of Delegates 2012; Delegate Israel D. O'Quinn;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  2. ^ a b c "Israel O'Quinn, Delegate - 5th District - Biography". Archived from the original on 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  3. ^ a b "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  4. ^ Mcgee, David | Washington County. "Osborne announces election bid against O'Quinn". SWVa Today. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  5. ^ Turyn, Thomas Coleman & Noreen (2019-06-11). "Primary election results". WSET. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  6. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » 2013 House of Delegates General Election District 5". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  7. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » 2015 House of Delegates General Election District 5". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  8. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » 2017 House of Delegates General Election District 5". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  9. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » 2019 House of Delegates Republican Primary District 5". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  10. ^ "Virginia Election Results: November 5, 2019". The Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved 2019-11-08.