​Conservative Republican Chad Dotson Announces Run for Virginia’s 38th Senatorial District Special Election

The Honorable Chad Dotson announced today that he is running in the Special Election for the 38th Senatorial District to fill out the remainder of the term of deceased Senator Ben Chafin of Lebanon. Dotson, a current Dean and constitutional law professor at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, is a former Circuit Court Judge, Commonwealth’s Attorney, husband, and father. “I’m running in the Special Election because I know we need a conservative voice who will continue the work that Senator Ben Chafin started,” said Dotson. Furthering that sentiment, Dotson said, “We need a Senator in Richmond who will fight to bring jobs to Southwest Virginia, defend our special way of life, and preserve the values we hold dear – lower taxes, less spending, defending the Second Amendment, preserving life, having the back of law enforcement professionals, and fighting for the rule of law.” Judge Dotson was elected by the Virginia General Assembly to the General District Court bench in 2007, and he was unanimously elevated to the Circuit Court bench in 2011 (and reappointed in 2019). He served as the Chief Judge of the 30th Judicial Circuit and presided over the Circuit’s Recovery Court program for the entirety of his tenure on the Circuit bench. In addition, Judge Dotson served a term on the state Drug Court Advisory Board, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. After serving a term on Appalachian School of Law’s Board of Trustees, Judge Dotson joined the faculty as an adjunct in the spring of 2020. He joined the full-time faculty for the fall semester of 2020 as Dean of Students and Distinguished Professor of Law. Chad Dotson is proud to have the support of many of Southwest Virginia’s leaders, such as: Delegates Terry Kilgore, Nick Rush, and William Wampler. He also enjoys the support of many Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Sheriffs, and Supervisors from across the 38th District. Chad, and his wife Sabrina, have called Southwest Virginia home their entire lives. Together, they have raised two wonderful children right here. The Special Election will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd. The Republican Party will nominate their candidate through a party canvass on Thursday, January 21st. 

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