Leon Mark Dudenhefer (born September 25, 1952) is an American politician. A Republican, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011. He represented the 2nd district, made up of parts of Prince William and Stafford counties in Northern Virginia. Previously, he served 2005–2011 on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, representing the Garrisonville district.[1][2] After deciding not to seek re-election to the House of Delegates in 2017, he decided to run for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors again,[3] and was elected by a margin of 12 votes.[4]

L. Mark Dudenhefer
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 2nd district
In office
January 13, 2016 – January 10, 2018
Preceded byMichael Futrell
Succeeded byJennifer Carroll Foy
In office
January 11, 2012 – January 8, 2014
Preceded byBud Phillips
Succeeded byMichael Futrell
Personal details
Born
Leon Mark Dudenhefer

(1952-09-25) September 25, 1952 (age 72)
Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLaVera Kay Brooks
ChildrenChristian Dudenhefer, Rebecca Craven, Emily Dudenhefer (deceased)
ResidenceStafford, Virginia
Alma materLouisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Phoenix
OccupationConsultant
Websiteva02.com
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1974–2004
RankColonel

Education and family

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Dudenhefer received a B.S. degree in Economics from the Louisiana State University in 1974. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Corps until 2004, rising to the rank of colonel. He also received an M.B.A. degree from Tulane University and a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.[1][2]

Dudenhefer married LaVera Kay Brooks; they had three children. One daughter, Emily, died in an automobile accident in 2004.[1][2]

Electoral history

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Date Election Candidate Party Votes %
Virginia House of Delegates, 2nd district
Nov 8, 2011[5] General L. Mark Dudenhefer Republican 5,767 56.02
Esteban Garces Democratic 4,507 43.08
Write Ins 20 0.19
Bud Phillips was redistricted out; seat changed from Democratic to Republican
Nov 5, 2013[6] General Michael T. Futrell Democratic 8,189 50.56
L. Mark Dudenhefer Republican 7,966 49.18
Write Ins 43 0.27
Nov 3, 2015[7] General L. Mark Dudenhefer Republican 5,839 50.43
Joshua L. King Democratic 5,714 49.35
Write Ins 26 0.22

Political career

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Dudenhefer served on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors 2005–2011; he was its chair for two years.[2]

When the 2nd House district was moved to his area by redistricting, Dudenhefer was unopposed as the Republican nominee for the seat. He defeated Democrat Esteban Garces in the general election, 5767-4507.[5]

In November 2013, Dudenhefer was unseated by Democratic candidate for Delegate, Michael Futrell.[8]

In November 2015, Dudenhefer reclaimed the seat he lost in 2013, narrowly winning against Democrat Joshua King.[9]

In January 2017, Dudenhefer announced that he would not seek re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.[10] The next month, he announced he would run for his old seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors against Democratic incumbent Laura Sellers.[3] Dudenhefer narrowly defeated Sellers, winning the election by 12 votes.[11][4]

[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "Virginia House of Delegates 2012; Delegate L. Mark Dudenhefer;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "Delegate Mark Dudenhefer". Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  3. ^ a b c "Dudenhefer seeks to reclaim Stafford Board of Supervisors seat". Potomac Local. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  4. ^ a b Davis, Kristin (2014-11-14). "After additional votes counted, Dudenhefer, Thomas still come out on top in Stafford election". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  5. ^ a b ""November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  6. ^ "November 2013 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  7. ^ "November 2015 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
  8. ^ [1] http://www.staffordcountysun.com/news/local/article_a870bfa6-4691-11e3-9e43-001a4bcf6878.html] [permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Dudenhefer wins back 2nd District House seat". INSIDENOVA.COM. 2015-11-03. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  10. ^ Vicinanzo, Amanda (2017-01-06). "Del. Mark Dudenhefer will not seek re-election to Virginia House". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  11. ^ Davis, Kristin (2017-11-07). "Former Garrisonville supervisor unseats Democrat incumbent in Stafford County". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
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