Chris Obenshain

• Bridgewater College (BA)
• University of Virginia (JD)

Chris Obenshain
Obenshain in 2024
Member of the VirginiaHouseofDelegates from the 41st district
In office January 10, 2024 –January 14, 2026
Occupation	Lawyer politician

Joseph Christian Obenshain is an American Republican politician from Virginia. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election from the 41st district. ^[1]

Obenshain was a prosecutor in the Montgomery County Commonwealth Attorney's office. ^[2]

Obenshain lost reelection in 2025 to Democrat Lily Franklin, whom he narrowly defeated in 2023.

Education

Obenshain graduated from Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Virginia. He attended Bridgewater College and University of Virginia School of Law. ^{[3] [ self-published source? ]}

Personal life

As of 2023, Obenshain lived in Blacksburg, Virginia. He is married with two children. ^[3]

Obenshain's father, Joe, ran for the Virginia Senate in 2003. His late uncle, Richard, served as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia and was the party's nominee for U.S. Senate in 1978, but died in a plane crash prior to the election day. He is a cousin of state senator Mark and political commentator Kate Obenshain. ^[4]

References

1. Weir, Luke (2023-11-07). "Chris Obenshain wins 41st District state House race". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
2. JoJack, Beth (2023-05-05). "Republicans nominate Obenshain for House district that covers parts of Roanoke County and Montgomery County". Cardinal News. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
3. Obenshain, Chris. "MEET CHRIS". www.obenshainfordelegate.com.
4. JoJack, Beth (April 27, 2023). "Meet the two Republicans running in Southwest Virginia's only competitive House district". Cardinal News. Retrieved September 17, 2025.

External links

• Campaign website