Former U.S. Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.) staged the first step in a potential political comeback Saturday by clinching the GOP nomination for a House of Delegates district southwest of Richmond.
The move makes Garrett an almost certain bet to win in November in the heavily Republican 56th District.
Garrett won a post in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in 2016. In May 2018, POLITICO reported that Garrett was using his aides to perform personal duties like grocery shopping and caring for his dog during work hours. Later that month, he announced he was an alcoholic and would not seek re-election.
Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert alluded to Garrett’s move in a congratulatory statement posted to Twitter.
“Tom’s story of recovery and redemptions will surely underpin his return to service,” Gilbert said.
Cardinal News reported Garrett won the three-way nomination contest in the second round of voting after one of his rivals endorsed him.
