In August 2018, Bell announced he would run in 2019 for Virginia State Senate District 13, then represented by Republican Dick Black.[3] Bell's announcement came with endorsements from 14 elected Democrats in Virginia, including state Attorney General Mark Herring, House of Delegates Minority Leader David Toscano, and state senator Jennifer Wexton, who was subsequently elected to U.S. Congress.[3]
Bell won the election in November 2019, defeating Republican Loudoun County supervisor Geary Higgins in the general election.[4]
Bell declined to run for a second 4-year term in 2023, citing a cancer diagnosis.[5]
Personal life
Bell is married to wife Margaret, who is a local realtor.[6] They have five children and three grandchildren.[3]