Richard Stuart
Richard Stuart | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Stuart in 2021 | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | John Chichester |
| Constituency | 28th District (2008–2024) 25th District (since 2024) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Henry Stuart January 6, 1964 Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lisa |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | King George County, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Virginia Wesleyan College (BA) University of Richmond (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | www.stuartforsenate.com |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1984–1992 |
Richard Henry Stuart (born January 6, 1964) is an American politician and attorney. A Republican, he was elected to the Senate of Virginia in November 2007. He currently represents the 25th district, made up of nine counties and parts of two others in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and northern Piedmont, including all of Caroline County, Essex County, King George County, King William County, Lancaster County, Middlesex County, Northumberland County, Richmond County and Westmoreland County, as well as part of King and Queen County and Spotsylvania County.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Stuart was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Wesleyan University and Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law.[2] Stuart also studied international law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.[3]
Career
[edit]Stuart represented Virginia's 28th Senate district from 2008 to 2024. Redistricting caused Stuart to run for and win election in Virginia's 25th Senate district in 2023. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources and also sits on the following Senate committees: Commerce and Labor; Courts of Justice; Finance; and Rules.[1]
Education reform
[edit]Stuart has advocated for allowing students to approve tuition increases at Virginia public colleges and universities. In 2019, he introduced a bill that would require students to vote on proposed tuition increases before the governing board is able to vote on them. Under the proposed legislation, a two-thirds majority of students would need to approve them.[4]
Robert E. Lee speech
[edit]In February 2018, Stuart gave a speech praising Robert E. Lee, resulting in Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, who normally presides over the Virginia Senate, choosing to walk off the podium rather than preside over the Senate during the speech.[5]
Combined sewer overflow reform
[edit]Stuart has been a pivotal figure in spearheading efforts to tackle combined sewer overflow outfalls in Virginia, with a particular focus on the cities of Richmond and Alexandria.[6]
Personal life
[edit]In 2016 he bought a 1,400 acre riverfront conservation easement near the Potomac River known as Stuart Plantation, and moved there with his family. The property was the site of a former plantation that had been in his family for generations until it was sold during the Great Depression. He was surprised to discover that riprap along the river shore contained cemetery headstones. Research by Virginia historians discovered that the markers were from Columbian Harmony Cemetery, a historic African-American burial ground in Washington, D.C., that was established in 1859 by the first burial society for free Blacks. It was in active use until 1959, then dug up and relocated in 1960. Approximately 37,000 bodies were reburied at National Harmony Memorial Park in Maryland, but the headstones were sold as scrap, including use in riprap. A nonprofit organization was formed to reclaim the gravestones, and as many as possible will be given to National Harmony. Stuart said he will work to create a parklike memorial along the Potomac to recognize any headstones that cannot be reclaimed.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Senator Richard Stuart". Senate.virginia.gov. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
- ^ "Richard Stuart, Virginia Senator". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
- ^ Lance–Star, James Scott Baron The Free. "Rashid hopes to unseat incumbent Stuart in 28th Senate District". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
- ^ Hankerson, Mechelle (2019-12-24). "A Republican senator wants students to approve tuition increases before governing boards do". The Virginia Mercury. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
- ^ Pope, Michael (January 31, 2018). "Efforts to Give Localities Choice Over Confederate Monuments Have Failed". WVTF. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ Vogelsong, Sarah (2022-02-14). "Senator pushes to speed up Richmond combined sewer fix". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Schneider, Gregory S. (October 25, 2020). "A Virginia state senator found headstones on his property. It brought to light a historic injustice in D.C." The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
Sources
[edit]- "Senator Richard Stuart: Conservative Leadership for the Virginia Senate". (Constituent/campaign website)
External links
[edit]
- "Richard H Stuart". Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- "Election Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- "Senator Richard Stuart (R-Westmoreland)". Richmond Sunlight.
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Republican Party Virginia state senators
- Virginia Wesleyan University alumni
- University of Richmond School of Law alumni
- Alumni of Emmanuel College, Cambridge
- People from Westmoreland County, Virginia
- Politicians from Fredericksburg, Virginia
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century Virginia politicians