February 27, 2023
On Saturday, Feb 25, 2023, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die, closing out a “short” 46-day session. Overall, the legislature considered over 2,800 bills, with more than 1,600 bills passing both chambers. However, budget negotiations will likely continue over the next several weeks since a comprehensive budget was not adopted. Looking further into 2023, all 140 seats of the General Assembly are up for election/reelection. Since these campaigns will occur in newly drawn legislative districts, there are many significant primary races already underway. The legislature will be vastly different next year due to redistricting and retirement announcements. As of adjournment, several retirements have already been announced, including Senator Dick Saslaw, Democratic majority leader of the Virginia Senate. Senator Saslaw is the longest-serving member of the Senate, which he joined in 1980 after serving four years in the House of Delegates. Senator Tommy Norment, Senate Minority leader and longtime political powerhouse in the General Assembly, has also recently announced he does not plan on seeking re-election in the 2023 elections. Other Legislators that have officially announced their retirement are Senator Jill Vogel and Delegates Jeff Bourne, Mike Mullin, Ken Plum, Jim Edmonds, Kathleen Murphy, Tim Anderson, Rob Bell, Margaret Ransone,…