Brandon Bell (Virginia politician)

Summary

John Brandon Bell II (born December 20, 1958)[1] is an American former Virginia state senator and small businessman from Charlottesville. Bell was state senator for two non-consecutive terms, replacing Republican State Senator Malfourd W. Trumbo in an open race over Democratic Party Candidate Stephen H. Emick (a relative of Malfourd's predecessor Dudley J. Emick Jr.) when Trumbo retired after 3 terms, having first been elected in 1991.

Brandon Bell
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
January 14, 2004 – January 9, 2008
Preceded byBo Trumbo
Succeeded byRalph K. Smith
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 11, 1992 – January 10, 1996
Preceded byGranger Macfarlane
Succeeded byJohn Edwards
Personal details
Born
John Brandon Bell II

(1958-12-20) December 20, 1958 (age 65)
Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
Republican (formerly)
SpouseDebbie Hurley Bell[1]
ResidenceRoanoke County, Virginia
Alma materBA, Business Administration, Mississippi State University, 1980[2]
OccupationSmall Businessman, Financial Consultant

Bell did not continue on to the General Election four years later in 2007, having lost the Republican Party Primary by 75 votes to the former one term Roanoke Mayor Ralph K. Smith, largely due to his proposal of a bill seeking to ban smoking in private businesses throughout the state, a bill which failed, however a similar bill, sponsored by Senator Ralph Northam, a Democrat from Norfolk, succeeded in banning smoking in private businesses in 2009.[3]

Electoral history edit

Virginia State Senate election in the 21st District, 1991
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Brandon Bell II 53.49% +16.84%
Democratic John G. Macfarlane (inc.) 46.45% -16.89%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing N/A
Virginia State Senate election in the 21st District, 1995
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Brandon Bell II (inc.) 45.43% -8.06%
Democratic John S. Edwards 54.56% +8.11%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing N/A
Virginia State Senate election in the 22nd District, 2003
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Brandon Bell II 53.49% +16.84%
Democratic John G. Macfarlane 46.45% -16.89%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing N/A
Virginia State Senate election in the 22nd District, 2007
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Brandon Bell, II 53.49% +16.84%
Democratic John G. Macfarlane (inc.) 46.45% -16.89%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing N/A

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Extended interview with Independent candidate Brandon Bell".
  2. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  3. ^ "Independent Brandon Bell helped clear the air in Virginia".