Lacey Putney
Lacey Edward Putney (June 27, 1928 – August 26, 2017)[1] was an American politician. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from January 1962 until January 2014, making him the longest-serving member in the history of the Virginia General Assembly and one of the longest-serving state legislators in American history. He represented a district centered around his hometown of Bedford for his entire career, and at various times represented parts of neighboring Bedford and Botetourt counties.
Lacey Putney | |
---|---|
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Acting | |
In office June 15, 2002 – January 8, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Vance Wilkins |
Succeeded by | Bill Howell |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 19th district | |
In office January 12, 1983 – January 8, 2014 | |
Preceded by | George P. Beard Jr. |
Succeeded by | Terry Austin |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 9th district | |
In office January 10, 1962 – January 12, 1983 | |
Preceded by | Charles E. Green Jr. |
Succeeded by | Willard R. Finney |
Personal details | |
Born | Lacey Edward Putney June 27, 1928 Big Island, Virginia, U.S. |
Died | August 26, 2017 89) Goode, Virginia, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Independent (after 1968) |
Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 1968) |
Spouse | Carmela Bills |
Children | Susan Lacey Edward Jr. |
Alma mater | Washington & Lee University |
Profession | Attorney |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1950–1954 |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Putney, a lawyer from Bedford, was first elected as a Democrat in 1961. He left that party later in the decade and began running as an independent, although he caucused with the Republicans from 1998.[2]
Putney announced in March 2013 that he would not run for reelection in 2013.[3]
Acting Speaker
In June 2002 Republican House Speaker S. Vance Wilkins, Jr. resigned following revelations that he had paid a staffer to keep quiet about "unwanted sexual advances".[4] Putney, then Chair of the Privileges and Elections committee, served as Acting Speaker until the following session in January 2003, when Republican William J. Howell was elected as Speaker.
Electoral history
Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia House of Delegates, 19th district | |||||
Nov 7, 1995[5] | General | L E Putney | 15,330 | 99.90 | |
Write Ins | 16 | 0.10 | |||
Nov 4, 1997[6] | General | Lacey E. Putney | 13,195 | 78.39 | |
Eric D. Thompson | 3,635 | 21.59 | |||
Write Ins | 3 | 0.02 | |||
Nov 2, 1999[7] | General | L E Putney | 12,842 | 80.86 | |
E D Thompson | 3,035 | 19.11 | |||
Write Ins | 4 | 0.02 | |||
Nov 6, 2001[8] | General | L E Putney | 13,285 | 99.95 | |
Write Ins | 7 | 0.05 | |||
Nov 4, 2003[9] | General | L E Putney | 11,393 | 73.42 | |
A M Lipscomb | Democratic | 4,123 | 26.57 | ||
Write Ins | 2 | 0.01 | |||
Nov 8, 2005[10] | General | L E Putney | 19,152 | 99.16 | |
Write Ins | 163 | 0.84 | |||
Nov 6, 2007[11] | General | Lacey E. Putney | 11,908 | 72.56 | |
Lewis B. Medlin, Jr. | Democratic | 4,464 | 27.20 | ||
Write Ins | 39 | 0.23 | |||
Nov 3, 2009[12] | General | Lacey E. Putney | 15,297 | 64.13 | |
Lewis B. Medlin, Jr. | Democratic | 4,922 | 20.63 | ||
W. H. "Will" Smith II | Constitution | 3,602 | 15.10 | ||
Write Ins | 32 | 0.13 | |||
Nov 8, 2011[13] | General | Lacey E. Putney | 8,883 | 41.61 | |
Jerry R. Johnson | Republican | 6,775 | 31.73 | ||
Lewis B. Medlin, Jr. | Democratic | 5,670 | 26.56 | ||
Write Ins | 18 | 0.18 |
2007 voting bills
As Chair of the Privileges and Elections Committee,[14] Putney blocked numerous electoral reform bills, including the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact[15] and bills to introduce Instant Runoff Voting on a test basis.[16] He then chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee.[17]
References
- Lacey Putney, longest-serving state legislator in Virginia's history, dies at 89
- Walker, Julian (2013-03-27). "Va. delegate ending legislative service after 5 decades". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- "Lacey Putney, longest-serving Va. lawmaker, to retire". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Associated Press. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- Melton, R.H. (2002-06-07). "Va. Speaker Settles Sex Complaint; Wilkins Paid Woman at Least $100,000, Denies Accusations". The Washington Post. p. A1.
- "1995 Election Results - HOD". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "1997 Election Results - HOD". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "Election Results - House of Delegates - Nov 1999 Gen Election". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "General Election- November 6, 2001". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "General Election- November 4, 2003". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "General Election- November 8, 2005". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "November 6, 2007 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "November 2009 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- "Committee Chart". Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- "Legislative Information System". Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- "Legislative Information System". Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- Virginia House of Delegates: Appropriations Committee
External links
- "Virginia House of Delegates 2009; Delegate Lacey E. Putney". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- "Lacey E Putney". Virginia Public Access Project.
- "Delegate Lacey Putney (I-Bedford)". Richmond Sunlight.
- "Election Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2010-06-17.
- "209 Bills Sponsored as of 2011". Open States.