Matt Fariss

Charles Matthew Fariss (born May 11, 1968) is an American politician. An Independent, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011, though he was a Republican at the time, having left the party in 2023. He represented the 59th district, made up of Appomattox County and Buckingham counties, and parts of Albemarle, Campbell, and Nelson counties between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.

Early life, education, business career
Fariss grew up on a farm. After graduating from Rustburg High School, he went into farming himself, and expanded into other related businesses, including co-ownership of the Lynchburg Livestock Market.

Fariss married Crystal Dawn Brown. They have three children, Hunter, Bobby and Harrison.

Political career
The 59th district incumbent, independent Watkins Abbitt, Jr., retired in 2011 after 26 years of service. Fariss, the Republican nominee, won a three-way race against Democrat Connie Brennan and independent Linda M. Wall, receiving 52.98% of the vote. Fariss is a social conservative, and opposes abortion, as well as same-sex marriage: "As delegate, he will oppose any effort on the state or local level to allow for marriage, partnership benefits, or recognition. Matt will work diligently to ensure that what has happened in New York and elsewhere will never happen in Virginia."

In January 2016, Fariss was charged with two incidents. These included a misdemeanor breach of peace and a hit and run accident in which property was damaged but no people were hurt.

In October 2019, Fariss potentially violated Virginia campaign finance code by holding a fundraiser via raffle.

In April 2023, Fariss was charged with malicious wounding, failing to stop after an accident, and reckless driving after striking a woman with his SUV the previous month. Prior to striking the woman, Fariss had been angrily demanding that the woman get back into his vehicle after she left his vehicle on foot to get away from him. Fariss fled after a bystander who witnessed the scene shouted out. In March 2024, Fariss was found not guilty on all three charges but was convicted of the lesser charge of improper driving and ordered to pay $500.

On June 20, 2023, Fariss filed for reelection as an Independent after having missed the GOP Legislative District Committee's March 30 deadline amid legal troubles.

On November 7, 2023, Fariss finished third in a three-way race, losing to Republican nominee and winner Eric Zehr (69%) as well as Democratic nominee Kimberly Moran (22%), garnering approximately 8% of the vote.

Fariss was arrested in March 2024 on felony charges for possession of methamphetamines and a firearm, and a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order. He was held without bail.