Edward Lee Schrock (born April 6, 1941) is a retired naval officer (1964–1988) and American Republican politician who served as a member of the Senate of Virginia from 1996 to 2001. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 2001 to January 2005, representing the Second Congressional District of Virginia.

Ed Schrock
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byOwen B. Pickett
Succeeded byThelma Drake
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 10, 1996 – January 3, 2001
Preceded byClancy Holland
Succeeded byFrank Wagner
Personal details
Born
Edward Lee Schrock

(1941-04-06) April 6, 1941 (age 83)
Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationAlderson Broaddus University (BA)
American University (MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1964–1988
Battles/warsVietnam War

Early life and career edit

Born in Middletown, Ohio, Schrock earned a bachelor's degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in 1964 and a master's degree in Public Relations from American University in 1975. His 24-year career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy (1964 to 1988) included two tours of duty in Vietnam. After retiring from active military service, Schrock worked as an investment broker and then served in the Virginia State Senate, from 1996 to 2001.

Tenure in Congress edit

In 2000, he was elected to the U.S. House seat for Virginia's 2nd District, defeating the Democratic Party nominee, Jody Wagner, a Norfolk attorney who later became state treasurer.

In his first term, Schrock was elected president of the Republican freshman class. During his four years in Congress, Schrock served on the Armed Services Committee, Budget Committee, Small Business Committee and Government Reform Committee.

In 2002 in his second term, Schrock defeated Green Party candidate D.C. Amarasinghe, winning 83.15% of the vote.

Controversy edit

In 2004, Michael Rogers' blogACTIVE.com had said that Schrock is gay — or at least bisexual — despite having aggressively opposed various gay-rights issues in Congress, such as same-sex marriage and gays serving in the military.[1][2] Schrock, who is married, announced on August 30, 2004, that he would abort his 2004 attempt for a third term in Congress after allegedly being caught on tape soliciting sex with men on an interactive telephone service on which men can place ads to meet other men for sex.[citation needed]

On November 2, in the general election, fellow Republican Thelma Drake was elected to replace Schrock. Drake took office in January 2005.

After Congress edit

In December 2004, Representative Tom Davis, another Virginia Republican, hired Schrock to serve as the top staff person for one of the subcommittees of the Government Reform Committee which Davis chaired and on which Schrock had served.[3]

Schrock was briefly covered in the 2009 documentary Outrage, which profiles allegedly closeted gay public officials who have endorsed anti-gay legislation.[4]

Electoral history edit

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 2000
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward L. Schrock 97,856 51.96%
Democratic Jody M. Wagner 90,328 47.96%
Write-in 145 0.08%
Total votes 188,329 100%
Republican gain from Democratic
Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward L. Schrock (Incumbent) 103,807 83.15%
Green D. C. Amarasinghe 20,589 16.49%
Write-in 450 0.36%
Total votes 124,846 100%
Republican hold

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Shear, Michael D.; Jenkins, Chris L. (August 31, 2004). "Va. Legislator Ends Bid for 3rd Term". The Washington Post.
  2. ^ "GOP scrambles to replace retiring Virginia lawmaker". Associated Press. August 31, 2004.
  3. ^ Eisman, Dale (December 18, 2004). "Schrock takes job as aide for House subcommittee". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Goldstein, Patrick; Rainey, James (April 23, 2009). "The Big Picture". Los Angeles Times.

External links edit

Senate of Virginia
Preceded by Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 7th district

1996–2001
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 2nd congressional district

2001–2005
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative