Ward Armstrong
Ward Armstrong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office 2007–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Franklin P. Hall |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 10th district | |
| In office 1992–2011 | |
| Preceded by | A. L. Philpott |
| Succeeded by | David Coscano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 2, 1956 Bassett, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Pamela Akers |
| Children | Courtney, Whitney |
| Residence | Collinsville, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Duke University University of Richmond School of Law |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Committees | Courts of Justice; Finance; Rules |
| Website | www.wardarmstrong.com |
Ward Lynn Armstrong (born June 2, 1956, in Bassett, Virginia) is an American trial lawyer and politician. He has been a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 1992. He currently serves as the Minority leader. He was defeated in a bid for the 9th district in 2011, and will not leave office in 2012.
Early life
Armstrong was raised in Bassett, Virginia, graduating from John D. Bassett High School in 1974. He then attended Duke University, where he earned a business degree in 1977. In 1980, Armstrong received a JD degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. During law school, he studied for a summer at the University of Cambridge in England. After law school, he worked as a law clerk to Justice W. Carrington Thompson of the Supreme Court of Virginia for one year. He has practiced law in Martinsville, Virginia since 1981.
House of Delegates
He represents the 10th House district, and serves on the Courts of Justice, Rules, and Finance committees. On February 24, 2007, Armstrong was elected Minority Leader of the Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates. As Minority Leader, he has organized the "51 Club" to assist candidates in an effort to establish a Democratic majority in the House of Delegates.
As of early 2008, Armstrong said he would oppose closing an exemption for one-on-one gun sales between individuals from instant background checks (the so-called "gun show loophole"), even though he usually plays a key role in rallying Democratic support for Governor Tim Kaine's agenda, saying "My constituents pretty much expect me to oppose it," he said. "Carroll County is my district, and it¹s home to one of the largest gun shows on the East Coast." Armstrong, with two young daughters of his own, said he is filled with sympathy for the Virginia Tech Massacre victims but that it won't sway his opposition to closing the loophole. "As legislators, we have to be dispassionate when it comes to the law."[1]
The Virginia Fifth Congressional District Democratic Committee awarded Armstrong the A. L. Philpott Award for Leadership. He is past president of the Martinsville-Henry County Bar Association; a member of the Virginia Museum of Transportation's Board of Directors; and a member of the Norfolk and Western Historical Society. He has served on the Board of Deacons at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church].[citation needed]
Armstrong was defeated on November 8, 2011 while running for re-election in the House of Delegates 9th District. Armstrong was placed in the 16th District during the required redistricting after the 2010 census. The 16th district seat was held by Republican incumbent Donald Merricks. Armstrong chose to relocate and challenge Republican incumbent Charles Poindexter in the 9th House district. He left his home and moved into his mother-in-law's house in the town of Bassett. Poindexter defeated Armstrong with 53% to 47% of the vote. During his 2011 campaign Armstrong raised and spent more than $1,000,000.
Personal life
Mr. Armstrong and his wife, Pamela Akers, have two daughters: Courtney Lynn and Whitney Akers.[2]
References
- ^ Fiske, Warren (2008-01-06). "Despite Tech Shootings, Gun Show Rules Unlikely to be Altered". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ "Ward L. Armstrong Bio / personal information (2008 session)". Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
External links
- Ward Armstrong official campaign website
- Virginia House of Delegates - Ward L. Armstrong official VA website
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Profile from Virginia Public Access Project
- Follow the Money - Ward L. Armstrong
- Washington Post - Ward L. Armstrong local election 2008 profile
- "Del. Ward Armstrong on funding education" (video). Virginia Democrats. 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong responds to Republican complaints over a study released this week that confirms the GOP budget would deny hundreds of millions of dollars to public education in coming years.