Del. Dickie Bell resigns teacher position to remain in Va. General Assembly

In the summer of 2009, when popular five-term Del. Chris Saxman (R-20th House) unexpectedly decided to retire from the Virginia House of Delegates during his reelection campaign, long-time Staunton City Councilman Dickie Bell was tapped to run as the Republican candidate.

Caught off guard at the sudden opportunity but rising to the occasion, the future seemed bright for this special education teacher in the Augusta County public school system located in the central Shenandoah Valley. He handily won his election with 71% of the vote during the history-making 2009 election that saw Republican candidates sweep the top three spots of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.