Virginia Beach Del. Barry Knight dies

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach Del. Barry Knight has died after a multi-year battle with cancer.

He was 71.

Knight was a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach and native to the Pungo area of the city and had served in the House of Delegates since 2009 and had been reelected to represent the new 98th District in 2023.

Knight confirmed with 10 On Your Side's Andy Fox that he was sworn into this year's General Assembly by signed notary.

House Speaker Don Scott and House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore released a joint statement on Knight's death.

"Today we have lost a colleague and a friend, and the Commonwealth of Virginia has lost a dedicated statesman. For over 15 years in the House of Delegates, Barry Knight was a steady and respected presence, working tirelessly to keep our Commonwealth’s budget on track and to serve the people of Virginia Beach and all Virginians.

“While we had differences of opinion on many things, no one would ever question Barry Knight’s dedication to the people of this Commonwealth. His experience and expertise made a lasting impact on this body.

“He didn’t speak often, but when he did people listened. He was steady. And in this place steady matters more than people realize.

“We grieve with his family today. We mourn with his beloved wife, Paula, and their three children, Hunter, Kyle, and Forrest. It was an honor to serve alongside him. He will be deeply missed.”

The Republican Knight was first elected to the House of Delegates in January 2009 and has worked his entire life in agri-business, growing Barry D. Knight Farms to 640 acres and producing as many as 25,000 finished hogs per year.

He has earned the Champion of Free Enterprise honor by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2021 Legislator of the Year. He has also received other honors, including Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the Agribusiness Council's Man of the Year and the Port Champion by the Virginia Maritime Association.

The Virginia Agribusiness Council, in a statement, said it "is saddened to learn of the passing of Delegate Barry Knight, a longtime champion for agriculture that represented the Pungo area of Virginia Beach. We ask that you keep Barry and his family in your prayers."

He received the council's 2023 Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness Award.

Attorney General Jay Jones offered his condolences.