The bipartisan group of 36 delegates and senators who represent Northern Virginia in the 140-person General Assembly come from a variety of backgrounds: Some are lawyers, a few are teachers, one owns a gas station and another is a mathematician.
And one has as much influence as anyone, if not more, over how Virginia spends billions of dollars every year.
Del. Vincent Callahan, R-McLean, chairs the House Appropriations Committee, which along with the Senate Finance Committee crafts the annual budget bill. Three other Northern Virginians also serve on the important 24-person panel.
On the Senate’s money committee, three of the 15 members are from Northern Virginia. The chairman, Fredericksburg Republican John Chichester, has bucked conservative Republicans and sided with lawmakers wanting to increase taxes and fees for transportation — a key issue for Northern Virginia residents.
Northern Virginians chair two of the other 13 House committees: David Albo, R-Springfield, leads the Courts of Justice Committee and Del. Joe May, R-Leesburg, chairs Technology.
In the Senate, none of the 14 committees are run by Northern Virginians. Area senators from the Republican party, which is in the majority and controls the chairmanships, are relatively new and do not have the needed seniority.
Two Northern Virginians are in Senate leadership positions, however. Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax, is the chamber’s minority leader and Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, is the chairwoman of the Democratic Caucus. Saslaw, the gas station owner, has a well-earned reputation as a tough and effective legislator.
Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, is the only regional lawmaker in the House leadership. He heads the House Democratic Caucus.
House of Delegates Leadership
» Republicans: Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford; House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
» Democrats: Minority Leader Franklin Hall, D-Richmond; Caucus Chairman Brain Moran, D-Alexandria.
Senate leadership
» Republicans: President Pro Tempore John Chichester, D-Fredericksburg; Majority Leader Walter Stosch, R-Glen Allen.
» Democrats: Minority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax; Caucus Chairwoman Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington.
