RTD: Emmett Hanger would make excellent finance committee chair

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I wrote on Monday about State Senator Emmett Hanger moving into the chairman’s seat on the powerful finance committee after the retirement of Walter Stosch (see Emmett Hanger could be in line to chair state senate finance committee).

Today the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote an editorial suggesting the same (see GOP can move forward with finance pick):

Augusta’s Emmett Hanger stands second in seniority to Norment. A loyal Republican, he is not a fire-eater — and would make an excellent chair.

This year potentially divisive differences existed between the money committees in the two houses. Comity prevailed. A budget crisis was avoided. The adults overcame. Hanger is qualified by disposition and philosophy to guide with a steady hand and to provide stability. He deserves the job.

Winning the June 2015 Republican primary against two tea party opponents and garnering 60 percent of the vote was the first step for Senator Hanger toward chairmanship. It would be a good fit due to his experience serving as a member of the committee and chairing the Health and Human Resources subcommittee. We’ll be watching what comes out of the finance caucus later this month.