John Chester Watkins (born March 15, 1947) is an American politician and businessman who served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1982 to 2016. A Republican, he represented the 10th Senate district from 1998 to 2016 and, prior to that, served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1982 to 1998, representing the 63rd district.
Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Watkins graduated from Virginia Tech in 1969 with a degree in horticulture. Before entering politics, he worked as a farmer and businessman, owning and operating a family farm and garden center. His experience in agriculture heavily influenced his legislative priorities throughout his career.
Watkins was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1981, where he served for 16 years. During his tenure in the House, he became known for his focus on agricultural issues, land use, and local government concerns. In 1997, he successfully ran for the Virginia Senate, winning the seat for the 10th district, which encompassed parts of Chesterfield and Powhatan counties, along with the city of Colonial Heights.
In the Senate, Watkins rose to prominence, eventually chairing the influential Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. He also served on the Finance Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Commerce and Labor Committee. He was a vocal advocate for fiscal conservatism, economic development, and protecting Virginia's natural resources. Known for his bipartisan approach, Watkins often worked across the aisle to achieve legislative goals.
After more than three decades of public service, Watkins announced in 2015 that he would not seek re-election, and he retired from the Senate in January 2016. Following his political career, he continued to be involved in community affairs and agricultural advocacy.