Biography

Frank was elected to serve in the Virginia Senate in November 2000 to fill the unexpired term of the late Richard Holland. Prior to Frank's election to the Virginia Senate, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates since first elected in 1993.

After the 2011 redistricting, the 15th Senate district includes all of the counties of Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Nottoway, as well as parts of the counties of Brunswick, Campbell, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Pittsylvania, and Prince George, and part of the City of Danville. The 15th district is the largest in the Commonwealth.

Frank's senate standing assignments include service on the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, the Committee on Education and Health, the Committee on General Laws and Technology, and the Committee on Local Government.

His service to Virginia includes membership on several boards and commissions. He serves on the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission where he was elected as Vice-chairman in 2010. Additionally, he chairs the Education Committee. He also serves on the Southside Economic Development Committee and the Executive Committee.

Frank serves as Chairman of the Center for Rural Virginia that is focused on serving the needs and opportunities of the rural parts of Virginia.

As well, he serves on the Roanoke River Bi-state Commission, Martin Luther King Commission, and the Small Business Commission.

His work also includes responsibilities on national legislative organizations. Frank serves on the Trade and Economic Development Committee of the American Legislative Exchange Council and on the Agriculture Committee of the Southern Legislative Association.

For the last several years Frank has focused on economic development, education and workforce training in rural Virginia as well as protecting our natural resources. From assistance with funding for regional industrial parks to improving our state park facilities to enhance tourism, from working with the Governor and local leaders to recruit new industry to the creation of a much needed law enforcement hazardous driving school, he has been a leader in the fight for small-town communities across the Fifteenth Senate District.

Frank led the effort for the Forgivable Loan Program through the Tobacco Commission as a way for Southern Virginia's young people to continue their education and to encourage them to return to the region to re-establish their roots. He has worked to establish workforce centers throughout Southern and Southwest Virginia as well as specialized training programs at the community colleges.

Frank and his wife, Jessie, have four children - sons, Frank M. "Miller" III, (his wife - Jessica), Thomas, David, and daughter Genny.

They are active members of Clarksville Presbyterian Church where Frank serves as an Elder.

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Senator Frank M. Ruff, P.O. Box 332, Clarksville, VA 23927 | 434.374.5129 | sen.ruff@verizon.net
Authorized and Paid for by Ruff for Senate