Sen. John Watkins won’t seek re-election in 2015

By Lynn R. Mitchell

State Senator John Watkins has announced he will not seek another term (see Powhatan senator Watkins won’t run again in 2015):

State Sen. John Watkins – the moderate Powhatan Republican who played key roles in landmark legislation covering transportation and stabilizing the Virginia Retirement System, but saw his overture to privately expand Medicaid succumb to partisan arm-twisting – will retire from the Virginia Senate when his term ends in 2015.

His planned departure could create an opening in the upcoming 2015 legislative elections for Democrats, who in two previous election cycles have won his district, which includes parts of Chesterfield, Richmond and Powhatan.

He’s one of the longest serving senators in the Virginia legislature. It will be interesting to see the juggle of who will step forward for that seat that represents the area where my parents live in Midlothian.

Senator Steve Martin draws GOP challenger

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Virginia Public Access Policy (VPAP) published today that Senator Steve Martin (R-11th State Senate District) will be challenged by Amanda Chase. The district includes a majority of Chesterfield County and all of the city of Colonial Heights.