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Virginia House Delegate Baxter Ennis (R-89, Chesapeake) announced on Friday, Feb. 21, that he will not seek re-election to another term in the House of Delegates.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of the 89th District in the House of Delegates these past two years,” Ennis said in a statement. “I have fought for lower taxes, increased veterans’ benefits, and to enact common-sense health care legislation that would have gone a long way in keeping our communities happy and healthy. Unfortunately, House Democrats playing partisan politics blocked all but one bill that I have brought up over the past two General Assembly sessions.”

Ennis edged current Suffolk Public School Board member Karen Jenkins by 521 votes (1.79%) in the 2023 election. It is unclear whether Jenkins will make another run at the seat. 

Ennis endorsed Mike Lamonea, a current Chesapeake School Board member and former Special Agent with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations, to succeed him. 

“We need someone who is ready to take on the tough fights and stand up for our community,” Ennis said. “Mike is a current Chesapeake School Board member and previously served our country for over 26 years as a Special Agent and led the ICE Homeland Security Investigations in the Norfolk and Richmond offices for almost a decade. He has spent the majority of his life protecting the most vulnerable from violence and exploitation – including busting fentanyl dealers in Virginia and rescuing children from predators. He has been a fighter on the Chesapeake School Board to keep schools top-notch and has enhanced programs to keep our students and staff safe.”

Ennis will continue to represent Chesapeake and Suffolk until the end of his term.