Emmett Hanger - Responsible Leadership in Virginia's Senate

Emmett Wilson Hanger Jr. was born in Staunton, VA. The oldest of five children, Emmett wasn’t born to affluence, but what his family may not have had in finances they made up for in closeness. Emmett learned at an early age the importance of faith in God, love of family and dedication to his country.

At the age of 18, Emmett became the first in his family to graduate from high school. Despite being an honors student, serving as class president and being an officer in the Future Farmers of America, college was not something Emmett had thought of as a possibility. Fortunately Emmett’s

talent on the basketball court led to an athletic scholarship at Madison College (now James Madison University).

That opportunity led Emmett to obtaining a degree in Management & Economics and later a Masters degree in Business Administration. More importantly it allowed Emmett to meet his wife Sharon, who was also attending Madison.

Military Service

Emmett was commissioned as a U.S. Army infantry officer and served in the Virginia Army National Guard. During his 11 years of military service, Emmett attained the rank of Captain.

He spent 6 years as the commander of the Harrisonburg National Guard. As commander, Emmett and his troops distinguished themselves and were selected as the best overall rifle company in the state.

Entering Politics

Ronald Reagan once said that a true leader doesn’t decide to run for office, the people decide for him. As a young man at the age of 30, there were enough people around Emmett asking him to run that in 1979 he decided to enter the world of politics, and ran for his first office as the Commissioner of Revenue for Augusta County. Emmett Hanger was the first Republican to be elected to a countywide office in Augusta County since reconstruction.

As the Commissioner of Revenue, Emmett learned first-hand the importance of local government to the people it represents, and the effect a mismanaged state budget can have on the local governments who must then pick up the slack to cover core services. Following his work as Commissioner of Revenue, Emmett ran for and won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. He held that seat for 9 years as a conservative Republican in legislature controlled by Democrats. As a Delegate, Emmett Hanger was among the first to introduce a parental notification bill to the floor of the legislature. Emmett fought hard for the conservative family values of the constituents he represented. He fought so hard that he caught the attention of the majority opposition, and following the re-districting session of 1991, he was unable to keep his seat.

A Return To Politics

In 1995, Emmett once again received the call to lead and ran for Virginia State Senate against an entrenched Democrat. It was a hard fought campaign from the Republican Nomination to the general election in November, but when the final votes were tallied, Emmett Hanger was sent back to Richmond. Emmett was re-elected in 1999 and again in 2003, receiving over 72% of the vote.

Senator Hanger is now a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Finance, Local Government and Rules Committees as well as the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committees where he serves as Chair.

Senator Hanger has been a tireless supporter of sound fiscal management, businesses that create Virginia jobs and ensuring that Virginia’s children receive a strong education.

Republican Party

Emmett joined the Augusta County Republican Committee 27 years ago and has been involved in building the party ever since. He and his wife Sharon have built precinct organization and served in numerous capacities. Emmett has served several terms as unit chair and as Sixth District Vice-Chair. He was a member of the organizing committee that held the first Republican Advance.

Community Service

When asked how he first became involved in politics, Emmett always responds that it was a natural outgrowth of community service. After graduating from college and starting a family, Emmett joined the Ruritans and has maintained perfect attendance in this organization ever since.

Emmett has served in Ruritan in various levels of leadership at the club, zone and district level. Ruritan is a rural and town based community service organization that is extremely active throughout Virginia. Former Governor Mills Godwin was at one time a national President in Ruritan. Emmett has engaged in various other community service pursuits over the years, from Scouting to PTA and Weekday Religious Education, to organizing a new fair in his county.

God and Family

Emmett is a Christian and a member of the Emmanuel Church of the Brethren. He has been active in his church as a trustee, superintendent, moderator and teacher for many years. Emmett places his faith in God above all else. He understands that everything we have in life comes from God and he bases his leadership decisions on principles that are in keeping with his moral code of ethics.

As a father of five and husband to Sharon, to whom he has been married for 37 years; Emmett Hanger has always been a leader for strong, traditional family values in Virginia.

Emmett lives in Augusta County.

P.O. Box 2
Mount Solon, VA
22843-0002

Tel. 540-885-6898
Fax. 540-885-6777

Paid for and Authorized by Hanger Campaign Committee