Virginia Supreme Court

In Virginia, Supreme Court justices are not appointed by the Governor; they are elected by a majority vote of both houses of the General Assembly for 12-year terms. Because of this, their "ideology" is usually tied to which party controlled the legislature at the time of their election.

As of late April 2026, the court is generally viewed as having a 4-2-1 conservative-leaning majority, though several justices are known for being unpredictable institutionalists.

The "Conservative Block" (Elected by GOP Majorities)

These four justices were elected during periods of Republican control in the House and Senate (or narrow GOP majorities). They are generally viewed as conservative or "strict constructionists."

• D. Arthur Kelsey (Elected 2015): A consistent conservative voice, Kelsey was elected when Republicans held a "trifecta" in the legislature. He is often the most vocal proponent of judicial restraint.
• Stephen R. McCullough (Elected 2016): Formerly a top official in the GOP Attorney General’s office, McCullough was elected by a Republican-led General Assembly. He is seen as a solid conservative jurist.
• Teresa M. Chafin (Elected 2019): Elected just before Democrats took control in 2020, Chafin was a Republican-backed candidate from Southwest Virginia. She is the sister of former GOP State Senator Ben Chafin.
• Wesley G. Russell Jr. (Elected 2022): Russell was part of a high-profile "trade" between the parties in 2022. While he was the GOP-preferred pick during a split-legislature deal, he is known for a scholarly, law-focused approach.

The "Liberal Block" (Elected/Backed by Democratic Majorities)

These two justices represent the Democratic shift in Richmond over the last few years.

• Thomas P. Mann (Elected 2022): The other half of the 2022 deal. Mann was the Democrat-preferred candidate (formerly a Fairfax Circuit Court judge). He is widely considered the most liberal-leaning member of the current bench.
• Junius P. Fulton III (Elected 2025/Assumed Office 2026): The newest member of the court, Fulton succeeded the retired Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn. He was elected by the current Democratic trifecta (General Assembly and Governor Abigail Spanberger) and is viewed as a reliable liberal vote on procedural and civil rights issues.

The Swing Vote / Institutionalist

• Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell (Elected 2011): Powell is the longest-serving justice and the first African-American woman to serve on the court. While she was elected during a period of split control (GOP House, Democratic Senate), she is frequently a consensus-builder. As Chief Justice (as of Jan 1, 2026), she is the one to watch in the redistricting case. She often prioritizes the stability of the court over partisan outcomes.