Chris Obenshain
Committed Conservative
A life-long Virginian, Chris Obenshain has been a grassroots activist for conservative values and causes his entire life. In law school he served as Chairman of the UVA Chapter of the Federalist Society, the nation’s premier conservative legal organization. He has held leadership positions in numerous Republican organizations including the Montgomery County Republican Party, the Radford City Republican Party, the Richmond City Republican Party, and the Bridgewater College Republicans. He also chartered and served as Chairman of the Roanoke/NRV Young Republicans. He has also volunteered for and supported countless conservative candidates throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Chris believes that freedom is our most valuable resource. He is a Constitutional Conservative who believes the vision of the Founders – one of limited government, strong individual rights, and faith in the rule of law – remains the greatest path to peace and prosperity. As a gun owner and Soldier, he knows that the Second Amendment is a vital bulwark against tyranny. As a prosecutor, he understands that supporting our law enforcement community is of utmost importance to keeping our communities safe and free. As a father, he is passionate about ensuring that parents and children, not disconnected bureaucrats, are the driving force behind our education policy.
Chris Obenshain is a member of the Army Reserve. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
A Legacy of ServicE
Chris is proud to come from a long line of Virginians who have placed public service forefront in their lives. His grandfather, Dr. Sam Obenshain, was a farmer in Montgomery County and a professor of agronomy at Virginia Tech. He was also a strong Republican and active in the community for more than 60 years. Chris’ father, Joe Obenshain, served in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served as an Assistant County Attorney for Roanoke County for many years and was a candidate for the Virginia State Senate in 2003.
Chris has continued this legacy of service by serving 19 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, first as an enlisted Soldier, and now as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps. In 2018 he was mobilized to active duty where he defended Soldiers facing Courts-Martial and other legal and administrative actions. Chris has experience working at all levels of government – from Capitol Hill with Senator George Allen, to Richmond as an Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, to the New River Valley as a prosecutor in Radford and Montgomery County. He has tried and argued cases in Circuit Courts across the Commonwealth as well as the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Virginia Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Devoted Husband and Father
Chris lives in Blacksburg with his wife Jennifer and their two sons. As a third-generation resident of Montgomery County, Chris and his family settled here because he knows well the friendly people and the endless possibilities in this region. Chris and his family are active members of Northstar Church and enjoy taking advantage of the natural beauty and family-friendly activities that this region has to offer. Chris is also proud to have grown up in Southwest Roanoke County and is a graduate of Cave Spring High School.