On March 24, 2010, Governor
Bob McDonnell appointed the 27th district incumbent, Republican
Samuel A. Nixon, as Virginia's
Chief Information Officer. Robinson became the Republican nominee to succeed Nixon. She defeated
Democrat William Brown, a county planning commissioner, in a
special election on June 15, receiving 72% of the vote. Robinson was unopposed for reelection in 2011 and 2013. In 2017, Robinson was opposed by Democrat Larry Barnett. The race was too close to call on election night, but Barnett conceded two days later, and Robinson won re-election by an estimated margin of 124 votes. In the 2018 Legislative Session, Robinson was appointed to chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee. In 2022, Robinson was promoted to chair of the Finance Committee. ==Notes==