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Standing ovation greets Del. Pollard
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Del. Albert Pollard, D-Lancaster (center), is sworn in by House clerk Bruce Jamerson yesterday.
Steve Helber/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Pollard takes place in General Assembly
By CHELYEN DAVIS
Date published: 2/21/2008
RICHMOND --Albert Pollard Jr. is now "Del. Albert Pollard" again.
Pollard was sworn into the House of Delegates yesterday after winning the special election for the 99th House seat Tuesday.
Pollard was welcomed with a standing ovation from his fellow delegates, as well as cheers from House Democrats, who are delighted that they now hold 45 of the 100 House seats. Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, came into the House session with a hat to which the number "45" had been taped.
This isn't Pollard's first time in the House; he held the 99th House seat from 1999 to 2005, when he stepped down for family reasons.
Pollard had not planned to return to the legislature, but last year he was persuaded to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by former Sen. John Chichester. The 28th Senate District includes all of the territory in the 99th House seat--all of the Northern Neck, plus part of Caroline County.
He lost that race to Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland. But an unusual and fast succession of events led to another open seat: Congressional 1st District Rep. Jo Ann Davis died of breast cancer, the 99th District's delegate, Rob Wittman, ran for the seat, won it in December and stepped down. Pollard decided to run for his old seat again, and beat Republican Lee Ann Washington in Tuesday's vote.
State law prohibiting elections in the 60 days before a primary meant that the 99th District has not had a delegate since. Tuesday, Feb. 12, was the earliest possible date for a special election.
He has a desk--a different one than he had in his earlier House career--and an office on the fourth floor of the General Assembly office building. He hasn't been assigned to committees yet, and he has no bills of his own, coming in just 2 weeks before the legislative session adjourns.
Pollard said he has been keeping up with bills that affect the 99th District, and with the budget. He voted on legislation yesterday (although he missed his first vote; he was out of his seat) and even rose once to explain one of Stuart's bills, although Del. Mark Cole beat him to the punch.
He said his prior experience in the legislature will help him understand most of the legislation that will come up in the remainder of the session.
"I think I've got the experience, background and common sense" to get up to speed quickly, Pollard said. He already plans to work in the House for a Stuart bill related to requiring lawn maintenance companies to do soil analyses.
Pollard got a warm welcome, with some delegates who'd served with him before coming over to say hi and others who've been elected to the House stopping to introduce themselves.
House Minority Leader Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Henry, said Democrats view Pollard's victory as one more step towards regaining the majority in 2009.
"The enthusiasm in my caucus is unparalleled," Armstrong said. "I have not seen the like of it in 16 years."
He likened it to climbing Mount Everest.
"Albert gets us to base camp," Armstrong said. "Now we begin our assault of the summit."
Chelyen Davis: 804/782-9362
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
Date published: 2/21/2008
Most recent reader comments:
1 comments have been posted.
"The 28th Senate District includes all of the territory in the 99th House seat--all of the Northern Neck, plus part of Caroline County." Caroline County IS NOT in the 28th Senate District. Caroline County is part of the 4th District (McDougle).
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Caroline County IS NOT in the 28th Senate District
(posted by
CorranH96
, Feb. 21, 2008 3:51 am)
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