Matt Fariss

Matt Fariss
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 59th district
In office
January 11, 2012 – January 10, 2024
Preceded byWatkins Abbitt, Jr.
Succeeded byEric Zehr (redistricting)
Personal details
Born
Charles Matthew Fariss

(1968-05-11) May 11, 1968 (age 56)
Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyIndependent (2023–present)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (2011–2023)
SpouseCrystal Dawn Brown
ChildrenHunter, Bobby, Harrison
ResidenceRustburg, Virginia
OccupationFarmer, businessperson
CommitteesAgriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Militia, Police and Public Safety

Charles Matthew Fariss (born May 11, 1968) is an American businessman and politician. An Independent in the 2023 election following criminal charges discussed below, he was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011, as a Republican. He represented the 59th district, made up of Appomattox County and Buckingham counties, and parts of Albemarle, Campbell, and Nelson counties between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.[1][2]

Early life, education, business career

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Fariss grew up on a farm. After graduating from Rustburg High School, he went into farming himself, and expanded into other related businesses, including co-ownership of the Lynchburg Livestock Market.[1][2]

Fariss married Crystal Dawn Brown. They have three children, Hunter, Bobby and Harrison.[1]

Political career

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In 2011, the 59th district incumbent, independent Watkins Abbitt, Jr., announced his retirement after 26 years of service. Fariss, the Republican nominee, won a three-way race against Democrat Connie Brennan and independent Linda M. Wall, receiving 52.98% of the vote.[3] Fariss labeled himself as a social conservative, opposing abortion, as well as same-sex marriage.[4]

In October 2019, Fariss potentially violated Virginia campaign finance code by holding a fundraiser via raffle.[5]

In 2022, Virginia's legislature reapportioned legislative districts following the U.S. Federal census, after which the 59th district covered counties substantially north and east of what had been Fariss' district, and the counties that had been in his district were now in the 51st legislative district. On June 20, 2023, Fariss filed for reelection as an Independent after missing the GOP Legislative District Committee's March 30 deadline amidst his legal troubles.[6]

On November 7, 2023, Fariss finished a distant third in a three-way race, losing to both Republican nominee and winner Eric Zehr (who won 69% of votes cast) as well as Democratic nominee Kimberly Moran (22%). Fariss only won approximately 8% of the votes cast.[7]

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In January 2016, Fariss was charged with two incidents. These included a misdemeanor breach of peace[8] and a hit and run accident in which property was damaged but no people were hurt.[9]

In April 2023, Fariss was charged with malicious wounding, failing to stop after an accident, and reckless driving after striking a woman with his SUV the previous month. Prior to striking the woman, Fariss had been angrily demanding that the woman get back into his vehicle after she left his vehicle on foot to get away from him. Fariss fled after a bystander who witnessed the scene shouted out.[10] On March 5, 2024, Fariss was found not guilty on all three charges but was convicted of the lesser charge of improper driving and ordered to pay $500.[11]

Fariss was arrested on March 23, 2024 on felony charges for possession of methamphetamines and a firearm, and a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order.[12][13] Initially held without bail,[13] he was released on bond on April 2 subject to drug testing.[14] An October 1 bail review hearing revealed that Fariss had tested positive for drugs but the court gave him another chance.[15] Fariss was arrested on October 25 following another positive drug test. Fariss will remain in jail awaiting his trial, scheduled for November 13.[16]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "Virginia House of Delegates 2012; Delegate C. Matthew Fariss". Virginia House of Delegates. Virginia General Assembly. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Delegate Matt Fariss". MattFariss.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "On the Issues". MattFariss.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Hammel, Tyler (October 19, 2019). "Va. Delegate may have violated state code by fundraising via raffle". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  6. ^ Frolo, Caitlyn (June 27, 2023). "Del. Matt Fariss files for reelection as an Independent amid legal troubles". WSET-TV. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  7. ^ "2023 November General and Special Elections". Election Results. Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Cioffi, Chris (January 20, 2016). "Del. Fariss charged with hit-and-run; July incident damaged shrubbery, fencing". The News & Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Rohr, Alex (March 25, 2016). "Fariss pleads guilty in hit-and-run case". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  10. ^ Gettys, Travis (March 7, 2023). "Road-raging Republican hits woman with SUV after 'angry and abusive' reaction to flat tire". Raw Story. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Ledonne, Isabella (March 6, 2024). "Former Virginia delegate found not guilty of felony hit-and-run charges". WDBJ. Roanoke, Virginia.
  12. ^ "Former GOP Virginia lawmaker, Matt Fariss arrested again; faces felony gun and drug charges". WTOP-FM. Associated Press. March 25, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Locklear, Robert; Stanbridge, Alexia (March 25, 2024). "Former delegate Matt Fariss found with meth in pocket & gun in vehicle, warrants reveal". WSET-TV. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Robinson, Rodney Jr. (April 2, 2024). "Former House Del. Matt Fariss is granted bond after arrest". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  15. ^ Robinson, Rodney Jr. (October 1, 2024). "Former House delegate does not get bond revoked, trial to come". The News & Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  16. ^ Faulconer, Justin (October 29, 2024). "Former Del. Matt Fariss arrested again after positive drug test, bond revoked". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. Archived from the original on October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
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