Va Senate Democrats

Democrat Roscoe Reynolds represents the 20th District, which includes all of Carroll, Floyd, Henry and Patrick counties and Galax and Martinsville in the Virginia Senate. His district also includes parts of Grayson and Wythe counties. Reynolds, a Martinsville native, is well known for his advocacy of job creation, public education and consumer rights.  But here are a few things you didn't know about this senator:

Senator Reynolds' favorite meal comes in a can
I am not a cook.  My favorite meal to prepare is a beef stew heavy in pea and carrot content.  All items in the meal come from cans.

He's an audio book worm
Since the area I represent is so widespread, I get to listen to many audio books as I travel to and from meetings.  I presently am listening to a Swedish fiction novel, Three Seconds, by Roslund & Hellstrom.  I recently finished Kevin Mitchell's non-fiction book entitled Jacob's Beach: The Mob, the Fights, the Fifties, which centers on the boxing establishment at Madison Square Garden during the first half of the 20th Century.

His favorite musicians
My favorite musical group is the Amazing Rhythm Aces who play a wide variety of music, running from country and bluegrass through the blues and hard rock with many stops along the way.  I also enjoy Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, George Shearing and big band music.  

His secret to success
The secret to success is hard work.

Senator Reynolds actually digs social networking/online media
Social working and online media can serve as a vital method for constituency input to those of us who are fortunate enough to serve as their representatives in government.

He's gone from paperboy to  politician
The media helped develop the interest that I have in politics.  As a youngster, I delivered newspapers.  I found the newspaper articles about politics interesting reading.  Also, event such as national political conventions were covered in more detail by the major television networks when I was younger.  

His first campaign slogan
My first campaign slogan for the General Assembly campaign was "People, not Politics."  The slogan was used because it emphasized my belief that the role of an elected official should be providing service to his constituency rather than primarily pushing a political agenda.

His reputation as a politician
I hope that I am most known for providing help and assistance to my constituency and the localities that I represent.

Senator Reynolds is proud of a lot
In general terms, I am very proud of the work that I have done in the General Assembly that has led to Virginia receiving a number of accolades. The Commonwealth has been recognized as the best run of the 50 states, the best state in which to do business and the state where the children have the brightest future.  I am also very proud of our triple A bond rating and the fact that Virginia has consistently had a balanced budget.  We have weathered recessions and economic setbacks without raising taxes.  Our schools continue to be recognized for the quality education afforded our young people.  The crime rate in Virginia is at its lowest point since reliable statistics started being kept in the late 1960's.  I am also very proud of the work that I have done to make Virginia's highways safer by adopting very effective punishment laws in dealing with those who drive under the influence and who endanger citizen's lives.

His top legislative goals
My top goal for the district is returning economic prosperity and job opportunities to an area that has been severely challenged by the decline in textile, furniture and tobacco industry related jobs.  A key to improving opportunities for the citizens that I represent is more educational opportunities than presently exist.  I have worked hard while I have served on the Tobacco Commission to obtain new job and educational opportunities for those who reside in Southside and Southwest Virginia.

Note: this is the fourth post in the "Do you know Senator" series profiling Virginia's Democratic senators.

Democrat Phillip 'Phil' Puckett represents the 38th District, which includes all of Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell and parts of Pulaski, Smyth, Wise and Wythe counties in the Virginia Senate. Puckett, a former educator, was first elected to the Senate in 1999 and is well known for his advocacy of the region's economic development and coal industry.  He has also fought for improvements in education, transportation, and water quality in the Southwest. But here are a few things you didn't know about this senator:

Senator Puckett's hobbies
My hobbies are hunting and fishing.

He makes a hearty meal
My favorite meal to prepare is soup beans, cornbread, and fried potatoes.

He walks the line ... in black
My favorite musician is Johnny Cash.  I have always loved the song "The Man in Black."

Senator Puckett's favorite movie
My favorite movie is Patton because the WWII generation is our greatest generation.

He's a survivor
My greatest accomplishment is surviving three teenagers.  I have three great kids.

His secret to success
The secret to success is to always be honest and live a life of integrity.

Senator Puckett is a lover of Virginia
Virginia is a great place to live because of its history and its beauty.

His political interest
I developed an interest in politics when I was 15 years old.  My father inspired me to run for office.

His key to balancing his professional and political career with family life
Family always comes first.

Senator Puckett's weekend hangouts
My constituents can find me either on the farm, at First Bank and Trust, or church on a weekend.

His big 3
My top three issues next year in the senate will be:
1. Ensuring that our coal industry is thriving and competitive

2. Continuing to work towards the full necessary funding our schools need in order educate our children for the future

3. Building on the transportation bill we just passed and continuing to advocate for the resources needed to finish the coal expressway.  

Democrat John Chapman "Chap" Petersen represents the  34th District, which includes all of Fairfax City and parts of Fairfax County in the Virginia Senate.  Senator Petersen is well known for being an advocate for the environment and education.  This past session, he sponsored Senate Bill 832, which mandated greener building standards for certain government buildings, and SB 831, which limited the right of the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands in matters of academic research and inquiry. Senator Petersen's also considered by some to be one of the hardest working candidates in Virginia's history after he knocked on more than 18,000 doors in 2007. But here are a few things you may not know about him:

Senator Petersen's best dish is frozen
My favorite meal to prepare is Totino's frozen pizza (Supreme).

His favorite musician
My favorite musician is Bruce Springsteen, because he's a great American.

His greatest accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment is being married for 15 years.  

He's web-savvy
Online media and social networking are good ways to get information to people quickly.

Note: this is the second post in the "Do you know Senator" series profiling Virginia's Democratic senators.

Democrat Linda T. "Toddy" Puller represents the 36th District, which includes parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties, in the Virginia State Senate.  The daughter of an Army officer, Senator Puller is known as a strong advocate for veterans. She has also been a strong proponent of improving education, transportation, health care, mental health, and the environment. Here are a few things you may not know about her:

Hobbies: My hobbies are reading and collecting antiques

She's an avid reader: The most recent books I read were "Abigail Adams, A Life" by Woody Holton; "American Lion" by Jon Meacham; and "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese

Favorite movie: My favorite movie is Cold Mountain.

When the political bug bit her: I've been interested most of my life.

Her political beginnings: My first elected office was as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Senator Puller's #1 :My top-goal for my district is to improve transportation on Route 1.

What legislation makes her proud: "I think SB 1184, the Newborn Screening Bill that I introduced and that passed the General Assembly in 2005 may have the most lasting effects on people's lives. It broadened the Commonwealth's newborn screening program to include more than 30 genetic disorders causing mental retardation, serious disability, or death if left untreated. The increased testing allows for early treatment to prevent later disabilities or death."

(Note this is the first post in the "Do you know Senator" series profiling Virginia's Democratic senators.)

Democrat Yvonne Miller represents Virginia's 5th District, which includes parts of Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach in the Virginia Senate.  Senator Miller is well known for being the first African-American woman to serve in each chamber of the General Assembly and the longest serving woman in the Senate. But here are a few things you may not know about her:

Senator Miller's hobbies: "My hobbies are reading the bible, religious books of many kinds, Sunday School lessons, romantic novels, etc."

Her favorite television show: "My favorite thing to watch on TV is the 7 to 8pm news on WHRO PBS Channel 15.  It provides in-depth coverage of the news of the day."

Senator Miller's greatest accomplishment: "My greatest accomplishment came in helping to support my parents, brothers and sister in completing their educational pursuits."

Her secret to success: "The secret to success is having the favor of God, favor of people, hard work, and faithfulness to the task at hand."

She likes social networking/online media: "Social networking and online media are excellent ways to stay in touch with my family, friends, and constituents."