Newsroom Archive for 1/10, 2006

Sean O'Brien was a guest this morning on WCHV 1260 AM in
Charlottesville. He discussed the upcoming General Assembly session
with a particular focus on proposed legislation and policy issues. Here
is a photo during the interview showing reporter Venton Blandin (left),
WCHV News Director and Morning host Tommie McNeil (center), and Sean
(right).

Mary Loose DeViney, PLP '05

A gradudate of the Class of 2005 Political Leaders Program, Mary Loose
DeViney is the author of a commentary titled "Should Virginia Reform
Medicaid" that appeared in the Sunday, January 8 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Mary writes in support of House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell's proposals to reform Virginia's Medicaid program.

Mary writes: "Most Virginians know our health care costs are rising
much faster that increases to other goods and services. But many have
no idea our state is headed for a colossal train wreck unless our
leaders reject the existing state of affairs and adopt meaningful
reforms."

Besides being a graduate of the Sorensen Institute, Mary is Chairman of the Leadership Council for the National Federation of Independent Business/Virginia, President of the Virginia Jeweler's Association, and owner of Tuel Jewelers on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.

You can read the complete text of Mary's article here.

The November/December edition of Virginia Martimer magazine, the official publication of the Virginia Port Authority,
includes this great photograph of members of the Class of 2005
Political Leaders Program. We were fortunate to enjoy a tour of the
port and an unforgettable visit to the Norfolk International Terminal
tower on Friday, November 11, 2005, where this photo was taken.

Sorensen graduate Shannon Valentine has won the special election in the 23rd district for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Valentine, a member of the Class of 2005 Political Leaders Program, will be sworn in tomorrow in Richmond just in time for the kick off of the 2006 General Assembly session. All of us at the Sorensen Institute--Board members, alumni, and staff--want to congratulate Shannon and her opponent Michael Harrington for running exemplary campaigns that were focused on issues and not personalities. The 23rd District, indeed all of Virginia, is the better for their hard work. 

With Shannon's victory, the Sorensen Institute now has 12 alumni serving in the Virginia House of Delegates.

To view the results from the State Board of Elections click here.

To read press coverage of the results click here and here.