About John

John A. Cosgrove, a Republican, represents the City of Chesapeake in the 78th House District.  Elected in 2001, and now serving his third term in the Virginia General Assembly, John has focused his efforts on improving public safety, education, transportation and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, as well as our family values.

John was born in Montgomery, Alabama and later moved to Springfield, Virginia.  He was first elected to office in 1998 as City Council Member for the City of Chesapeake and served as Vice Mayor from 2000-01.  In 2001 he was elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

John attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music to study his love of music.  This also happens to be where he met his lovely wife, Sue Culpepper.  He later continued his education and graduated from Tidewater Community College in 1983 and in 1985 graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. 

John served in the United States Navy as an Aerospace Engineering Officer / Maintenance Officer station with F-14 Squadron VF-202, Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron Four (HCS-4), and Naval Air Systems Command Units.

Since being elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001, John has demonstrated strong commitment to his constituents.  He continues that tradition by placing a high priority on making Chesapeake a better place to live, work, and raise a family.  John continually works with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia remain terrific places to make a home.

In the General Assembly, John serves on four important committees: Transportation, General Laws, Privileges and Elections, and Science and Technology. 

Under General Laws, he serves as Chairman of the Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Sub-Committee and is a member of the ABC / Gaming Sub-Committee.  Additionally, he serves as Chairman of the Virginia Delegation of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and has been appointed to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS), the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related Virginia Commission on Military Bases, and the Virginia Housing Commission.  Under JCOTS, he is Chairman of the Modeling and Simulation Sub-Committee, Chairman of Cyber Crimes Sub-Committee and a member of the Nanotechnology working group.

John has been the chief sponsor of legislation on various issues, including but not limited to, the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage, which preserves traditional marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the "Laci Peterson Bill" that makes it a murder to kill the child of an expectant mother, as well as bills establishing Veteran's Recognition Week, a Drug Court in Chesapeake, a School Supply Sales-Tax Holiday, a Felony Offense for Driving on a Suspended License (after a suspension of license from a DUI), and a Study of Science, Math and Technology Education in K-12 Education.

John serves or has served on several other committees or focus groups, including:

• Joint Sub-Committee Studying the VRS and Line of Duty Act

• Joint Sub-Committee Studying the Voting Equipment Certification Process

• Governor's Commission on National and Community Service

John is also deeply committed to the community, as reflected by the his many memberships, affiliations and awards, including:

• Virginia State Police Association Legislator of the Year, 2005

• Fraternal Order of Police Legislator of the Year, 2005

• Family Foundation Legislator of the Year, 2005

• Member, Batten College of Engineering and Technology Advisory Board, Old Dominion University

• State Board Member, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia

• Graduate, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia, 1998

• Member, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #9

• Member, Chesapeake Rotary

• Member, South Norfolk Ruritan Club

• Participant and Honorary Chairman, American Cancer Society Relay for Life

• Delegate, Republican National Convention, 2000 and 2004

• Former Chairman, 4th Congressional District Committee, Republican Party of Virginia

• Former Chairman, Republican Party of Chesapeake City Committee

• Former Coach, Football and Baseball Recreation Leagues

John attends Great Bridge Baptist Church and lives in the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake with his wife Sue.  He and Sue have been married since 1978 and have two sons, Michael and Brian.