Schuyler Thomas VanValkenburg (born 1982) is an American teacher and politician. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 72nd District on November 7, 2017, to replace retiring delegate Jimmie Massie. He defeated Republicans Eddie Whitlock and GayDonna Vandergriff in the 2017 and 2019 elections, respectively. In the 2023 state elections, VanValkenburg was elected over incumbent Siobhan Dunnavant in the newly redrawn 16th District.[1][2] The race was considered highly competitive for control of the State Senate.[3]
Schuyler VanValkenburg | |
|---|---|
 VanValkenburg in 2023 | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 16th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Morrissey (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 72nd district | |
| In office January 18, 2018 – January 10, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jimmie Massie |
| Succeeded by | Destiny Levere Bolling (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Schuyler Thomas VanValkenburg 1982 (age 41–42) Johnstown, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Richmond, Virginia |
| Alma mater | University of Richmond Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Profession | Teacher Delegate |
| Committees | Education Privileges & Elections School Safety |
Career
VanValkenburg taught at Short Pump Middle School and continues to teach at Glen Allen High School after his election to the House of Delegates, working as a part-time legislator. A Democrat, he defeated Republican lawyer Edward Whitlock III in 2017 as part of a Democratic wave in Virginia.[4]
VanValkenburg has introduced twelve education-related bills since taking office.[5]
Committee assignments
- Education
- Privileges & Elections[6]
Political positions
Labor relations
VanValkenburg opposes the use of covenants not to compete (also known as non-compete agreements) in certain cases, such as for relatively low-wage workers or workers who do not have access to sensitive trade secrets, such as sandwich-makers, baristas or gym trainers. He filed a bill in 2019 which would prohibit employers from enforcing non-compete agreements when no trade secrets were involved. VanValkenburg's bill would apply only to workers whose average weekly earnings were less than the state's average weekly wage.[7]
Civil liberties
In 2019, VanValkenburg announced a bill to reform Virginia's anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) laws. VanValkenburg's proposed bill came after Virginia's anti-SLAPP laws, which were intended to protect people from being intimidated or silenced by frivolous lawsuits, were criticized for being overly lax, allowing plaintiffs such as actor Johnny Depp and California Congressman Devin Nunes to file lawsuits in Virginia that may have been dismissed under California's more stringent laws.[8][9] VanValkenburg's bill, modeled after California's, would allow defendants in defamation cases to file motions to dismiss potentially-frivolous defamation suits earlier in the process. If successful, they would be able to recover attorney fees.[8]
College Sports Betting
In 2024, VanValkenburg filed a bill to update Virginia's sports betting laws. The measure, Senate Bill 124, would amend the in-state college sports betting prohibition. Sen. VanValkenburg told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that college sports betting happens whether regulated or not. This bill would remove any potential conflicting bets and the idea that those living outside Virginia can bet on Virginia college games for locals.[10][11]
Electoral history
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia House of Delegates, 72nd district | |||||
| Nov 7, 2017[12] | General | Schuyler VanValkenburg | Democratic | 16,655 | 52.71% |
| Eddie Whitlock | Republican | 14,869 | 47.06% | ||
| Nov 5, 2019[13] | General | Schuyler VanValkenburg | Democratic | 16,345 | 53.26% |
| GayDonna Vandergriff | Republican | 14,312 | 46.63% | ||
| Nov 2, 2021[14] | General | Schuyler VanValkenburg | Democratic | 19,710 | 53.00% |
| Christopher Holmes | Republican | 17,427 | 46.08% | ||