Stephen Newman

Stephen Dwayne Newman (born October 15, 1964) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1991 to 2024, first in the House (1991-1996) and then in the Senate of Virginia (1996–2024). In 2016, Newman became president pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia. However, in the 2019 Virginia Senate election, although Newman won re-election from his district, Democrats won the majority. On January 8, 2020, Louise Lucas, a senior Democratic senator succeeded Newman as president pro tempore.

Early life and education Newman was born on October 15, 1964, in Stuart, Virginia. His family later moved to Rustburg, Virginia, where he attended Liberty Christian Academy. He opposed Medicaid expansion in Virginia. He opposed 2014 legislation to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia.

In January 2016, Newman was elected president pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia and held that position until the 2020 General Assembly session began. The main duty of the pro tem is to preside over the state Senate when the lieutenant governor of Virginia (who is the president of the Senate) is unable to do so.