November elections shift balance of power, impact health care committees

December 2011

The Nov. 8 elections will bring many new faces to the General Assembly in January, but all four physician legislators will return to their seats. The only physician who ran in a contested race was Sen. Ralph Northam, M.D. (D-6th District, Norfolk) who beat his opponent, Republican Ben Loyola, by 13 points. The three physician delegates, Del. John O’Bannon, M.D. (R-73rd, Henrico), Del. Scott Garrett, M.D. (R-23rd, Lynchburg) and Del. Chris Stolle, M.D. (R-83rd, Virginia Beach), were unopposed. Through the Medical Society of Virginia's Political Action Committee (MSVPAC), physicians continue to support their peers and other friends of  medicine in their election and re-election campaigns.

In this year’s races, 73 members of the 100 seat House of Delegates ran in contests unchallenged by major party candidates; in the Senate 13 of 40 seats were uncontested. As a result of redistricting and retirements, Republicans in the House of Delegates were able to pick up eight seats to solidify their majority at 67.

In the Senate, Republicans also picked up seats, despite the Democrats’ control over the redistricting process for that chamber. As a result of Republican pick-ups and incumbent defeats, the Senate has gone from a division of 22 Democrats to 18 Republicans to a 20-20 split, with the tie-breaking vote held by Republican Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. Senate Republicans have indicated they will not enter a power-sharing arrangement with Democrats, as was done in 1996 when the chamber was evenly split. Republicans will likely control the organization of the chamber—from determining which Republicans will chair committees, which senators will serve on which committees and subcommittees, as well as to which committees bills will be referred.

Changes in Senate leadership will have a significant impact on health care issues. The closely contested race for the 17th Senate District led to the defeat of long-time incumbent Sen. Edd Houck (D). Sen. Houck chaired the education and health committee, served as a member of the budget-writing finance committee, and served as a budget negotiator. He was an expert in the Senate on Medicaid and other health care issues. He has been replaced by Sen.-elect Bryce Reeves (R).

Also changing on the Senate Education and Health Committee, will be the chairmanships of two key subcommittees. The health care subcommittee was chaired by Sen. Ralph Northam and the health licensing subcommittee was chaired by Sen. Fred Quayle (R), who retired following redistricting when he was drawn into a district held by fellow Republican Sen. Harry Blevins. Committee leadership and membership will be announced once the Senate convenes in January.

Other key changes affecting health care

• The retirement of Sen. William Wampler (R-40th, Bristol). Sen. Wampler was a health care expert and champion of many MSV issues. He served as a budget conferee. Sen. Wampler was replaced by Del. Bill Carrico (R), who has served as a delegate since 2002.
• The defeat of House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong (D-10th). As a result of redistricting, the 10th District was moved from Martinsville to Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick Counties. Del. Armstrong moved to a family home in the 9th District to challenge Republican Del. Charles Poindexter. Poindexter prevailed by five points.
• Del. Dave Nutter (R), who resigned his House seat to challenge Sen. John
  Edwards (D-21st, Roanoke), was defeated by Edwards. As a member of the House, Nutter was a strong supporter of physicians, and a senior member of the House health, welfare and institutions committee and a subcommittee chairman. Sen. Edwards is also a strong supporter of physician issues and serves on the education and health and courts of justice committees.
• The ratio of Republicans to Democrats on the House of Delegates committees will increase as a result of Republican pick-ups of seven seats in that chamber. If the House continues to use proportional representation on the committees, Republicans will gain one seat and Democrats will lose one seat on each committee.
• The retirement of Del. Harvey Morgan (R-98th, Gloucester), who chaired the health and human resources subcommittee of the appropriations committee. Morgan, a pharmacist, was a health care budget expert and a close partner with MSV, having served as a member of the MSV Foundation board. He has been succeeded by Del.-elect Keith Hodges (R), who is also a pharmacist.

MSVPAC backs winners
MSVPAC-backed candidates, with only four exceptions, won their races. The MSVPAC board makes decisions about candidate contributions each spring following that year’s General Assembly session. The MSVPAC board considers a variety of factors including whether the candidate is a physician or physician spouse, whether or not the candidate’s business, legal and medical philosophy is consistent with MSV’s, whether the candidate holds a leadership position, as well whether the candidate serves on any key committees or subcommittees.

Of the 73 contributions MSVPAC made to candidates this year, 69 won their elections. Those MSVPAC-supported candidates who lost their re-election bids include:

• Sen. Edd Houck (D-17th District)—defeated by Bryce Reeves (R) by 224 votes.
• Del. Ward Armstrong (D-10th District)—lost his seat in redistricting and was defeated by Del. Charles Poindexter for the 9th District seat.
• Del. Dave Nutter (R-7th District)—retired from his House seat to challenge Sen. John Edwards (D-21st, Roanoke) and was defeated by Sen. Edwards.
• Del. Billy Barlow (D-64th District)—was defeated by his Republican challenger Rick Morris in the more conservatively drawn district.