Ralph Northam grew up working on the Chesapeake Bay before attending Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated with distinction and was President of the Honor Court. After graduating from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Ralph served eight years active duty in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Major. Upon his return from treating soldiers injured in Desert Storm, Ralph began practicing pediatric neurology at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk. Ralph additionally serves as Assistant Professor of Neurology at Eastern Virginia Medical School and has ten years of volunteer services as Medical Director for the Edmarc Hospice for Children in Portsmouth.

Since first being elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2007, Ralph has scored numerous major legislative accomplishments, including helping to prohibit smoking in restaurants, protecting youth athletes who have sustained concussions, improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and shielding our first responders from communicable diseases. Ralph has also been a tireless advocate for women’s health, public education, economic development, and long-term solutions to Virginia’s transportation problems.

Ralph lives in Norfolk with his wife Pam, an elementary school science teacher. They have two children- Wes, who attends Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Aubrey, who attends the University of Virginia.

In December, Ralph Northam announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to become Virginia’s next Lieutenant Governor. With an even split between Democrats and Republicans in the Virginia Senate, the Lieutenant Governor will be tasked with casting the tie breaking vote on key legislation impacting the Commonwealth. Ralph Northam has a record in the Virginia Senate that uniquely qualifies him to effectively navigate the legislative process and protect our values that have too often been under attack with Republican control in Richmond.