Senate Of Virginia

The Lieutenant Governor , unlike the Vice President Of The United States in the United States Senate , presides daily over the Virginia Senate. In the lieutenant governor's absence, a President Pro Tempore presides, usually a powerful member of the majority party. The Senate is coequal with the House Of Delegates , the lower chamber of the Legislature , except that taxation bills must originate in the House, just like in the U.S. Congress .

Virginia senators are elected every four years by the voters of the several senatorial districts on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November.

The Senate has its own Coat Of Arms granted by the College Of Arms in England .

The Seal of the Senate has a shield of armor in the center which is divided into four sections, representing the arms of four countries (England, France, Scotland, and Ireland) that contributed to Virginia's early history. The coats of arms, Queen Elizabeth, and the dragon (part of Elizabethan royal seal of England) represent Virginia's heritage. The ivory gavel represents the Senate as a law making body. The cardinal and dogwood depict are two of our state emblems. The ribbon contains the Latin motto of the Senate, which means "May the Senate of Virginia flourish."

MAKE-UP OF THE SENATE OF VIRGINIA

Membership by Seniority

1 Chuck Colgan, Democrat 1976

2 John Chichester, Republican 1978

3 Dick Saslaw, Democrat 1980

4 Ed Houck, Democrat 1984

5 Ben Lambert, Democrat 1986

6 Yvonne Miller, Democrat 1988

7 William Wampler Jr., Republican 1988

8 Charlie Hawkins, Republicans 1992

9 Walter Stosch, Republican 1992

10 Janet Howell, Democrat 1992

11 Henry Marsh III, Democrat 1992

12 Louise Lucas, Democrat 1992

13 Ken Stolle, Repubican 1992

14 Fred Quayle, Republican 1992

15 Tommy Norment Jr., Republican 1992

16 Russ Potts , Republican 1992

17 Steve Martin, Republican 1994

18 Emmett Hanger, Republican 1996

19 Steve Newman, Republican 1996

20 Marty Williams, Republican 1996

21 Patsy Ticer, Democrat 1996

22 John Edwards, Democrat 1996

23 Mary Margaret Whipple, Democrat 1996

24 Roscoe Reynolds, Democrat 1996

25 John Watkins, Republican 1998

26 Phill Puckett, Democrat 1998

27 Toddy Puller, Democrat 2000

28 Nick Rerras, Republican 2000

29 Frank Ruff, Republican 2000

30 Frank Wagner, Republican 2001

31 Harry Blevins, Republican 2001

32 Creigh Deeds, Democrat 2001

33 Ken Cuccinelli, Republican 2002

34 Jay O'Brien, Republican 2002

35 Brandon Bell II, Republican 1992-1996, 2004

36 Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Republican 2004

37 Mark Obenshain, Republican 2004

38 Mamie Locke, Democrat 2004

39 Ryan McDougle, Republican 2006

40 Mark Herring, Democrat 2006

EXTERNAL LINK

Virginia General Assembly website

Information About

Senate Of Virginia