Sen. Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg)

Photo of Mark Peake
Party
Republican
District
22: Amherst County (All), Appomattox County (All), Buckingham County (All), Cumberland County (All), Fluvanna County (All), Goochland County (All), Prince Edward County (All), Louisa County (Part), Lynchburg City (Part) [map]
Took Office
January 2017
Next Election
November 2019
Committees
Privileges and Elections, Transportation
Website
peakeforsenate.com
Copatroning Habits
76% of bills he copatroned were introduced by Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of his bills, 71% of them are Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of all of the bills that he also copatroned, 54% of them are Republicans.
Partisanship
?
Tag Cloud ?
alcohol bypass commendation court dbhds dillon disability evidence government gun safety health highway intellectual locality mental onsite permission proffer redistricting rule safety sbe split precincts ssn study transportation vdot voter registration voting zoning
Bills Passed
24.4% in 2018
Bio

Peake is an attorney with Caskie & Frost, in Lynchburg. He holds an undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech, and got his law degree at Washington and Lee. He is married, with five children.

Recent Mentions in the Media

Lynchburg News and Advance: Nash: It's Time to Speak Up, Gun Owners

August 18, 2019 | 4:00 am
  Listen up, Lynchburg area gun owners, especially if you're a Republican. Each of us has powerful leverage to affect legislation in Virginia right now. It only takes ...

Lynchburg News and Advance: Petition seeks Amherst town charter change on expelling members

August 6, 2019 | 2:00 pm
  A petition demanding the Amherst Town Council request the Virginia General Assembly amend the town's charter to remove a section allowing council to expel ...

Richmond.com: VDOT meeting on Route 60 study becomes contentious

July 31, 2019 | 3:00 am
  POWHATAN – A meeting meant to gather public input on a new multi-county study of Route 60 took a contentious turn last week when some citizens made it ...

Lynchburg News and Advance: Expulsion vote fuels discord in Amherst; town requests special election

July 24, 2019 | 3:00 am
  AMHERST - Town of Amherst officials filed a request in Amherst Circuit Court last Thursday seeking a special election on Nov. 5 for voters to determine who will ...

Lynchburg News and Advance: Rewrite Amherst's Town Charter

July 18, 2019 | 3:00 am
  An election, in which citizens select their representatives to govern in their names, is the foundation stone of our democratic republic. Taking part in one is, we ...

From the Legislator’s Website

Peake addresses chamber

October 16, 2017
State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, who represents the 22nd State Senate District, provided insight into the upcoming state legislative session and answered questions from business and community leaders during the Farmville Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday afternoon at the Woodland Community Center. Peake’s district includes the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland and Prince Edward, along with parts of Louisa and Lynchburg City. Peake, during the discussion, spoke about his involvement as a senator, being elected during a special election in January. More than 70 attended the meeting, and some asked questions related to solar energy and gerrymandering. Peake said he frequently attends political and nonpolitical events across the Heart of Virginia, noting his attendance of a picnic for the Republican Party in town last week and visiting school board and county meetings in Prince Edward, Cumberland and Buckingham counties. He noted that former state Sen. and now U.S. Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, initiated legislation honoring Barbara Johns in the state, designating April 23 as Barbara Rose Johns Day. Peake remembered attending a presentation of the legislation at the Moton Museum, where Johns’ family was present. “(I’m) very thrilled to be a part of that,” Peake said. He noted the importance of community input in contacting state representatives about issues that affect local government and education. “We serve you, and that is our obligation. But we need to hear from you guys (as to) what is going on, what opportunities exist (and) what kind of developments you want […]

The Pattern in the Early Special Elections of 2017

February 22, 2017
You’re So Very Special, I Wish I Was Special Earlier this month, I noted the five special U.S. House elections scheduled for this year will be a good test of whether there really is an energized liberal grassroots movement mobilizing that could be the equivalent of the Tea Party on the Left, or whether we’re just seeing the same familiar activists in the same familiar places. There have already been a handful special state legislative elections this year, and there’s been a pattern. In January in Virginia, Republican Mark Peake won the special election in the 22nd Senate District around Lynchberg, a district that usually votes Republican. The same night, Democrat Jennifer L. McClellan won in the 9th Senate District, which includes part of Richmond. This is a heavily-Democratic district; most years the Republicans don’t even field a candidate, and they didn’t field one in the special election. In Virginia’s 85th House District, which covers Virginia Beach, N.D. “Rocky” Holcomb III beat Cheryl Turpin, keeping the seat Republican and winning by about the same margin that his predecessor Scott Taylor won in 2013. In other words, in three low-turnout special elections in Virginia so far this year, the political environment is pretty close to normal. In Iowa, Democrat Monica Kurth won the special election in the 89th State House District with 72 percent. The previous incumbent, Jim Lykam, ran unopposed in 2016 and 2014 and won 67 percent in 2012. In Minnesota, Republican Anne Neu won 53 percent in the […]

UPDATE: Mark Peake to take Tom Garrett’s 22nd district Senate seat

January 10, 2017
A Republican Lynchburg attorney has defeated two challengers in a special election for a central Virginia Senate seat, ensuring that the Legislature’s upper chamber remains in GOP control. Results in Tuesday’s 22nd Senate District race were still being tallied late Tuesday, but Democrat Ryant Washington’s campaign manager said Washington has conceded to Republican Mark Peake. Unofficial results from the state Department of Elections with more than 90 percent of precincts reporting showed Peake with a commanding lead. He had around 54 percent, Washington around 38 percent and independent Joe Hines had around 8 percent. An elections official said results were delayed because too few ballots were printed in Lynchburg, and the back-up ballots had to be hand-counted. Had Washington won, it would have created a 20-20 split in the Senate and effectively handed control to Democrats because of the lieutenant governor’s tiebreaker status. 9:15 p.m.: Mark Peake will likely win Tom Garrett’s Senate seat representing the 22nd district. According to the Virginia Board of Elections website, at last check Peake was ahead of challenger Ryant Washington 54% to 37%, with 85% of precincts reporting. Peake has 25 years of courtroom experience as an attorney. He also represented the Lynchburg area on the Commonwealth Transportation Board. 8:20 p.m. (AP): A Republican sheriff’s office captain has defeated a Democratic school teacher in the race for a Virginia Beach-area House of Delegates seat. Unofficial results from the state Department of Elections show N.D. “Rocky” Holcomb III beat Cheryl Turpin by about six percentage […]

Latest: Democrat concedes 22nd District Senate race

January 10, 2017
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Latest on a special election in Virginia (all times local): 9:45 p.m. A Republican Lynchburg attorney has defeated two challengers in a special election for a central Virginia Senate seat, ensuring that the Legislature’s upper chamber remains in GOP control. Results in Tuesday’s 22nd Senate District race were still being tallied late Tuesday, but Democrat Ryant Washington’s campaign manager said Washington has conceded to Republican Mark Peake. Unofficial results from the state Department of Elections with more than 90 percent of precincts reporting showed Peake with a commanding lead. He had around 54 percent, Washington around 38 percent and independent Joe Hines had around 8 percent. An elections official said results were delayed because too few ballots were printed in Lynchburg, and the back-up ballots had to be hand-counted. Had Washington won, it would have created a 20-20 split in the Senate and effectively handed control to Democrats because of the lieutenant governor’s tiebreaker status. ___ 9:20 p.m. A Republican Lynchburg attorney has a commanding lead in a central Virginia Senate race, though complete results are being delayed by an issue that resulted in the hand-counting of some ballots. According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, Republican Mark Peake has around 55 percent of the vote in the 22nd Senate District with around 86 percent of precincts reporting. Democrat Ryant Washington had around 37 percent and independent Joe Hines around 8 percent. All outstanding precincts are in the city of Lynchburg, where […]

Mark Peake hopes to win senate seat and keep district conservative

January 9, 2017
LYNCHBURG, Va. (NEWSPLEX) — Mark Peake is the Republican candidate for the 22nd District race. He’s a Lynchburg lawyer, father of five, and says that his top priority is to keep the 22nd District and state Senate Republican. “The winner of this race will decide the majority of the senate,” he said. The district has been held by a Republican for more than 20 years, and he said that he doesn’t want a Democrat taking control due to a bill up for vote in the next session. “Barbara Favola (D) introduced a bill to require gun registration. I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. I do not want universal gun registration in the state of Virginia,” he said. Peake said if he was elected, he would hope to work on a lot of different issues, including job growth, health care, and state trooper benefits. “The troopers are down 100 to 200 troopers, depending on the reports. Their pay is low, and their morale is low,” he said. That being said, Peake says his main concern is also the concern of many already in office. “The biggest concern this immediate session is the budget and how to whittle it down. We have a deficit, so we have to get it into compliance,” he said. He said that he plans to do that by carefully looking through the entire budget proposal and finding the areas that could be trimmed, which is a trait on which his predecessor Tom Garrett, Jr. […]

Tuesday — Vote Mark Peake for State Senate

January 8, 2017
Mark Peake, Republican candidate for the Special Election on Tuesday for the 22nd State Senate District, is out today in the snow, wind, and cold working with Peter Finocchio, going door-to-door to meet voters and ask for their support. The 22nd District covers part of Lynchburg City, Amherst County, Appomattox County, Buckingham County, Cumberland County, Fluvanna County, Goochland County, and part of Louisa County. This race will decide the balance of power in the senate. If Mark wins, Republicans will have control. If he loses, it will be tied up 20-20 and the Democratic lieutenant governor will break the tie. It all comes down to turnout. General Assembly convenes the next day, Wednesday, January 11. “Mark Peake would be an excellent addition to the State Senate, carrying on the conservative principals that are needed for Virginia. We need Mark Peake in the State Senate.” -Marty Williams, Immediate Past State President of the FOP of Virginia and 3rd district Congressional candidate. Story Here: https://bearingdrift.com/2017/01/08/tuesday-vote-mark-peake-state-senate/

Peake Makes Final Push for VA State Senate in 22nd District

January 3, 2017
Peake Makes Final Push for VA State Senate in 22nd District “More Freedom and Less Government” is the campaign message of Mark Peake, the Republican candidate for the 22nd District State of Virginia Senate seat. The seat was opened when Tom Garrett was elected to the US Congress in November. Appomattox will participate in a special election on January 10, 2017, to fill the void left behind by Garrett. Peake will run against Democrat Ryant Washington and Independent Joseph Hines. The 22nd District includes Amherst County, Appomattox County, Buckingham County, Cumberland County, Fluvanna County, Goochland County, part of Louisa County, and part of the City of Lynchburg. On December 3, 2016, Peake, an attorney from Lynchburg, defeated Goochland County Supervisor Ken Peterson at a GOP convention hosted by the 22nd District Republican Committee at Hampden-Sydney College. Peake believes that too much government regulation has created unfavorable conditions and lack of economic growth. “It’s killing our businesses, it’s stifling everything that we try to do,” he stated. “A lot of that is Obamacare, things that come down from the federal government and state government. So, I think we need to limit the regulations, limit taxation, encourage our small business growth. That’s how we get economic development.” Peake emphasized the need for more jobs in Appomattox and using taxpayer money more wisely. Peake said, “What people want is the ability to take care of their family with jobs, education, safety.” Heavy burdens subjected upon citizens by the government drive Peake’s desire to […]

Congressman Dave Brat Endorses Peake In 22nd

December 28, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Josh Puccio                                                                                                                 Phone: 434.455.3382 Email: Josh@PeakeForSenate.com Congressman Dave Brat Endorses Peake In 22nd Republican State Senate candidate Mark Peake was endorsed today in the 22nd District State Senate Special Election by Congressman Dave Brat. “Mark is a proven conservative who will represent the 22nd district well. I urge all my friends to vote Mark Peake in the January 10th Special Election,” Brat said. The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10th to fill Congressman Tom Garrett’s unexpired term in the State Senate. “I am honored to have earned Dave’s endorsement. The folks in Louisa and Goochland know him well, and the rest of the district may know him as one of Virginia’s strongest conservatives in Congress, and a fiscal watchdog on spending and waste in the budget,” Peake said. Because of the makeup of the senate, control of the state senate hinges on the outcome of this race. If Republicans fail to win the race, the Democrats will be able to wield their tie-breaking vote on partisan lines to kill any and all legislation advanced out of the house and into the senate. Brat added, “Republicans have had a great year electorally, and Virginia Republicans have an opportunity to achieve another victory in the upcoming Special Election – saving the Virginia Senate. Mark Peake is the only candidate on the January 10th ballot who will fight for our conservative values of limited government.” “I am the only pro-life, pro-gun, pro-free markets, and pro-civil liberties candidate […]

Special Elections: Could Virginia’s Senate Flip?

December 27, 2016
Think the election season is over? Think again. Voters in central Virginia are about to head to the polls for two special elections. And, as Michael Pope reports, control of the state Senate is at stake. Last month, two state senators were elected to Congress — Democrat Donald McEachin and Republican Tom Garrett. McEachin’s seat is almost certain to be held by Democrats because no Republican will be on the ballot. But Garrett’s seat in the state Senate is a hotly contested race, and if Democrats are able to pick it up, they will take control of the state Senate. Robert Denton at Virginia Tech says that’s unlikely though. “The 22nd has a pretty strong Republican base, a pretty strong active core there. But certainly surprises can happen, especially if it’s a cold or bad weather day can make a difference of a couple of percentage points,” says Denton. Are you eligible to vote in the special elections? Click here to find out if you live in the State Senate’s 22nd or 9th Districts. But it’s not just the uncertainty of a low-turnout special election in January. There’s another wild card. Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington points out that a third candidate in the race could help Democrats and hurt Republicans. “What you see in this district as well is an independent conservative third-party candidate, and if that candidate gets a significant share of the vote that would otherwise go to a Republican, there maybe the possibility […]

Peake, Washington win nominations to run for Garrett’s state Senate seat

December 5, 2016
Peake, Washington win nominations to run for Garrett’s state Senate seat Andrew Cain – Dec 3, 2016 Lynchburg lawyer and GOP activist Mark Peake will face off against former Fluvanna County Sheriff Ryant L. Washington of Palmyra in the Jan. 10 special election to fill the state Senate seat of Congressman-elect Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-5th. Peake topped Goochland County Supervisor Ken Peterson on Saturday at a GOP convention at Hampden-Sydney College. Washington prevailed over Lynchburg teacher Katie Webb Cyphert in a Democratic caucus held at the Moton Museum in Farmville. The special election is set for the day before the General Assembly session begins. “I feel good about where I stand,” Peake said in a telephone interview, noting that he has been campaigning since January in anticipation of Garrett’s nomination and victory for the congressional seat. “I will continue to talk about representing our conservative values in Richmond and standing up to government interference and government overreach,” Peake said. Peake said he also wants to address what has become a compensation crisis for Virginia State Police and for local sheriff’s departments. The GOP-leaning 22nd Senate District runs west from Goochland County to include Amherst and Appomattox counties, as well as parts of Lynchburg. Washington said in a phone interview that he hopes to be a voice for the localities in the district on issues such as public safety, health care, education and the economy. “The economy is the driving issue,” and a strong education is key to a strong […]

Bills

  • SB323: Virginia Independent Redistricting Review Commission; established.
  • SB350: Concealed handgun permit; extends expiration date.
  • SB351: Firearms in locked vehicles; immunity from liability.
  • SB352: Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability for certain diseases.
  • SB458: Conditional proffers; public facility capacity, previously approved residential developments.
  • SB753: Expert witnesses; standards for testimony.
  • SB835: Central Virginia Training Center; closure prohibited.
  • SB1037: Underage alcoholic possession, etc.; expungement of certain offenses.
  • SB1038: Voter registration; verification of social security numbers, provisional registration status.
  • SB1039: Eminent domain; commissioners.
  • SB1040: Jails, local; compensation for cost of incarceration of convicted felons.
  • SB1051: Precincts; required to be wholly contained within single election district.
  • SB1071: Central Virginia Training Center; closure prohibited.
  • SB1072: Training center; definition.
  • SB1102: Congressional & legislative district boundaries; alignment with boundaries of counties & cities.
  • SB1104: Community policy and management teams; use of funds.
  • SB1105: License plates, special; issuance for supporters of Fork Union Military Academy.
  • SB1106: Physical therapists & physical therapist assistants; licensure, Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
  • SB1123: Telephone/wireless commun. devices; threats of death or bodily injury to a person/member of family.
  • SB1143: Conditional rezoning proffers; extensive changes to zoning provisions.
  • SB1144: Guardianship; annual report filed by guardian.
  • SB1209: Patient care team; podiatrists and physician assistants.
  • SB1337: State sales and use tax by remote sellers; collection, disposition of revenue, report.
  • SB1397: Diversifying Teacher Workforce Act; teacher licensure, criteria, etc.
  • SB1556: Auditor of Public Accounts; Commonwealth Data Point, employee compensation information.
  • SB1661: Child abuse and neglect; victims of sex trafficking, etc.
  • SB1686: Volunteer assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth; appointment in certain jurisdiction.
  • SB1699: Subdivision and zoning; sidewalks.
  • SB1709: Alcoholic beverage control; distiller licensees, commissions and fees, effective date for provision.
  • SB1789: Designating the Trooper Lucas B. Dowell Bridge.
  • SJ31: Interstate conventions; selection of commissioners and committee procedures.
  • SJ32: U.S. Route 29; VDOT to study feasibility of eastern bypass.
  • SJ33: Route 60 Corridor; VDOT to study.
  • SJ259: U.S. Route 29; VDOT to study feasibility of eastern bypass.
  • SJ260: Route 60 Corridor; VDOT to study.
  • SJ268: Interstate conventions; selection of commissioners and committee procedures.
  • SJ331: Commending Frances Mae West Byers.
  • SJ340: Celebrating the life of Dennis Lynn Brent.
  • SJ397: Commending Ashland D. Fortune.
  • SJ399: Commending Virginia's State Forests.
  • SJ428: Commending Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • SB192: Virginia Lottery; interception of lottery prizes.
  • SB322: Redistricting; split precincts prohibited.
  • SB323: Virginia Independent Redistricting Review Commission; established.
  • SB331: Voter registration; verification of social security numbers, provisional registration status.
  • SB332: Retail Sales and Use Tax; agricultural exemptions.
  • SB333: Hemp, industrial; removes all restrictions on production, etc.
  • SB334: Underage alcohol possession, etc.; expungement of certain offenses.
  • SB336: Virginia Freedom of Information Act; right to speak at open meetings.
  • SB338: Firearms; certain persons allowed to carry into courthouses.
  • SB340: Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund; publicly owned treatment works, nutrient reduction.
  • SB341: Commission of crimes; forfeiture of property used in connection with crimes.
  • SB342: Jails, local; compensation for costs of incarceration.
  • SB343: School boards; permitted to employ certain individuals.
  • SB344: Sewerage systems; state adoption of federal criteria.
  • SB345: Conflict of Interests Act, State and Local Government; school boards and school board employees.
  • SB346: Fire Programs Fund; use of funds.
  • SB347: Statewide cancer registry; collection of data on exposure to fire incidents and cancer incidence.
  • SB349: Teacher licensure; requirements for license, provisional license, etc.
  • SB350: Concealed handgun permit; extends expiration date.
  • SB351: Firearms in locked vehicles; immunity from liability.
  • SB352: Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability for certain diseases.
  • SB458: Conditional proffers; public facility capacity, previously approved residential developments.
  • SB723: Teacher licensure; trade and industrial waiver and career and technical license.
  • SB753: Expert witnesses; standards for testimony.
  • SB763: Conflict of Interests Act, State and Local Government; school boards and school board employees.
  • SB764: Conflict of Interests Act, State and Local Government; school boards and school board employees.
  • SB783: Pretrial services agencies; Department of Criminal Justice Services to review, report.
  • SB813: Forfeited assets; state or local agency that receives net proceeds of asset from DCJS, etc.
  • SB835: Central Virginia Training Center; closure prohibited.
  • SB871: Amherst, Town of; amending charter, alters election of members of town council.
  • SB977: Training center; clarifies definition.
  • SJ31: Interstate conventions; selection of commissioners and committee procedures.
  • SJ32: U.S. Route 29; VDOT to study feasibility of eastern bypass.
  • SJ33: Route 60 Corridor; VDOT to study.
  • SJ151: Commending the Appomattox County High School football team.
  • SJ152: Commending Jimmie Straley.
  • SJ153: Commending David Scott Morris.
  • SJ155: Commending the Appomattox County High School golf team.
  • SR32: Commending Mark Lee Fischer.
  • SR33: Commending the Louisa County High School football team.
  • SR37: Celebrating the life of John Samuel Sims.
  • SB1567: Absentee ballots; eligibility of persons age 65 or older.
  • SB1570: Virtual Virginia; availability to all public middle and high schools.
  • SB1571: Special elections; provisional ballots, determination of results.
  • SB1577: Alternative onsite sewage systems; sampling.
  • SB1581: Voter registration; verification of social security numbers.
  • SB1589: Alcoholic beverage control; spirits tastings by distiller licensee.
  • SJ332: Commending David Verburg.
  • SJ340: Barbara Johns Day.
  • SJ349: Celebrating the life of Rebecca T. Dickson.
  • SJ358: Commending Amherst Fire Department.
  • SJ407: Commending the Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc.
  • SJ423: Commending the E. C. Glass High School golf team.
  • SJ424: Commending the E. C. Glass High School cross country team.
  • SR126: Celebrating the life of Roderick V. Manifold.
  • SR128: Commending Amherst Fire Department.
  • SR162: Commending the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets.