Key Facts
Background
Dillender graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BS degree in political science and government in 1994 and was commissioned in the US Navy in the same year, reaching the rank of Captain by his retirement in 2019. Dillender also received a MBA from the George Washington University School of Business in 2002 and attended U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2006. Dillender was awarded with the Meritorious Service Medal for his role in National Command Authority contingency operations and was responsible for leading the largest Navy Commander command in 2013 [1].
Since retiring from the Navy, Dillender has worked as a financial advisor with First Command Financial Services in Suffolk, VA. Dillender is a father of two, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Stonebridge School in Chesapeake and as a Deacon and Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. Dillender unsuccessfully ran for election in Virginia’s 76th District to the General Assembly in 2021 [1, 3, 5].
Key Issues
Economy
Dillender wants to promote the development of small businesses to re-energize Virginia’s economy, reduce high taxes and unnecessary regulations, and to limit the continued rising of historic inflation levels [1].
Education
Dillender wants to promote school choice by ensuring that all Virginia schools remain open and expanding options available to parents for the children’s education, as well as increasing funding for trade and vocational education [1].
Healthcare
Dillender wants to work to lower drug prices, allow insurance to be sold interstitially, and reduce the impact of the corporate bureaucracy in limiting access to healthcare for Virginians [1].
Public Safety
Dillender wants to continually support the police department in light of calls to defund the police by other delegates in the Virginia General Assembly, and provide additional resources and training to Virginia law enforcement [1].
Endorsements
Republican Party of Virginia, Terry Kilgore (R-1 in Virginia House), Spirit of Virginia, New Mission Leadership Fund
Sources
1 Mike Dillender Delegate
2 WAVY
3 Ballotpedia
4 Facebook
5 LinkedIn
6 VPAP