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Ralph Northam | |
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![]() Northam in 2018 | |
73rd Governor of Virginia | |
In office January 13, 2018 – January 15, 2022 | |
Lieutenant | Justin Fairfax |
Preceded by | Terry McAuliffe |
Succeeded by | Glenn Youngkin |
40th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
In office January 11, 2014 – January 13, 2018 | |
Governor | Terry McAuliffe |
Preceded by | Bill Bolling |
Succeeded by | Justin Fairfax |
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 6th district | |
In office January 9, 2008 – January 11, 2014 | |
Preceded by | Nick Rerras |
Succeeded by | Lynwood Lewis |
Personal details | |
Born | Ralph Shearer Northam September 13, 1959 Nassawadox, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Pam Northam (m. 1986) |
Children | 2 |
Education | Virginia Military Institute (BS) Eastern Virginia Medical School (MD) |
Signature | ![]() |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1984–1992 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | Army Medical Corps |
Ralph Shearer Northam (born September 13, 1959) is an American physician and politician who was the 73rd governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022.[1] A pediatric neurologist by occupation, he was an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1984 to 1992. Northam, a member of the Democratic Party, was the 40th lieutenant governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018 before winning the governorship against the Republican nominee Ed Gillespie in the 2017 election.[2] Prohibited by the Virginia Constitution from running for a consecutive term, Northam left office in January 2022 and was succeeded by the Republican Glenn Youngkin.[3]
As governor, Northam's most notable accomplishments included expanding Medicaid coverage as allowed under the Affordable Care Act, abolishing the death penalty, legalizing marijuana, and raising the minimum wage.[4] While Governor, Virginia was named CNBC's "best state for business" twice, the only state to be awarded the title two years in a row.[5] Northam also led the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was the only governor in the United States who was a licensed doctor.
Northam is currently a neurologist at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA where his clinical interests are epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders[6]