Senate of Virginia
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The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. It is composed of 40 Senators and is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Prior to Independence, the other part of government was represented by the Governor's Council, a upper house comprised of executive councillors appointed by the Governor as advisors.
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
| Affiliation | Members | |
| #FF3333> | Republican Party | 23 |
| #3333FF> | Democratic Party | 17 |
| Total | 40 | |
| Government Majority | 6 | |
Senate Leadership
President Pro TemJohn ChichesterMajority Leader
Walter StoschMajority Floor Leader
Tommy NormentDemocratic Leader
Dick Saslaw
Membership by Seniority
- Chuck Colgan, Democrat 1976
- John Chichester, Republican 1978
- Dick Saslaw, Democrat 1980
- Ed Houck, Democrat 1984
- Ben Lambert, Democrat 1986
- Yvonne Miller, Democrat 1988
- William Wampler Jr., Republican 1988
- Charlie Hawkins, Republican 1992
- Walter Stosch, Republican 1992
- [Janet Howell], Democrat 1992
- Henry Marsh III, Democrat 1992
- Louise Lucas, Democrat 1992
- [Ken Stolle], Republican 1992
- Fred Quayle, Republican 1992
- Tommy Norment Jr., Republican 1992
- Russ Potts, Republican 1992
- Steve Martin, Republican 1994
- Emmett Hanger, Republican 1996
- [Steve Newman], Republican 1996
- Marty Williams, Republican 1996
- Patsy Ticer, Democrat 1996
- John Edwards, Democrat 1996
- Mary Margaret Whipple, Democrat 1996
- Roscoe Reynolds, Democrat 1996
- John Watkins, Republican 1998
- Phill Puckett, Democrat 1998
- Toddy Puller, Democrat 2000
- [Nick Rerras], Republican 2000
- Frank Ruff, Republican 2000
- Frank Wagner, Republican 2001
- Harry Blevins, Republican 2001
- Creigh Deeds, Democrat 2001
- [Ken Cuccinelli], Republican 2002
- [Jay O'Brien], Republican 2002
- Brandon Bell II, Republican 1992-1996, 2004
- Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Republican 2004
- Mark Obenshain, Republican 2004
- Mamie Locke, Democrat 2004
- [Ryan McDougle], Republican 2006
- Mark Herring, Democrat 2006
External link
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