• Roanoke—Wednesday, September 8, 7 pm, Natural Science Center, Virginia Western Community College, 3102 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke (Google Maps) (Campus Map, See Building N)
• Norfolk—Wednesday, September 22nd, 7 pm, Roper Performing Arts Center, Tidewater Community College, 340 Granby St (Google Maps) (Campus Map)
• Fairfax—Tuesday, October 5th, 7 pm, Mason Hall, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax (Google Maps) George Mason University (Campus Map)
• Danville—Monday, October 18th, 7 pm, Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training, Danville Community College, 121 Slayton Ave, Danville (Google Maps) (Campus Map)
• Stafford—Monday, December 6th, 7 pm, University Hall, University of Mary Washington (Stafford Campus), 121 University Blvd, Fredericksburg (Google Maps)
• Richmond—Friday, December 17th, approximately 10 am, 9th Floor Appropriations Room, General Assembly
  Building (time approximate, after Governor’s remarks to the money committees), 910 Capitol Square, Richmond (Google Maps)

In addition to Chairman Cole, Delegates Rob Bell, Chris Jones, and Jackson Miller serve on the subcommittee.

For more on the redistricting process, visit Legislative Services’ Redistricting Page.

Bristol Motor Speedway is the most popular track on the Nationwide Stock Car Series circuit, often drawing over 100,000 fans. And it’s one of the fastest short track courses on the circuit.

Check out details of the race at Food City Racing and Bristol Motor Speedway. If you can’t make it the Speedway, ESPN will carry the Food City 250 live at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 20.

Coverage of Griffith’s selection appears at Roanoke’s NBC affiliate, WSLS 10 and TriCitySports.com.

Robinson, who will run in Chesterfield’s HD 27, joins Tony Wilt, nominee in HD 26, as the Republican ticket for June 15. The special elections were called to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of two valuable members of the Caucus to join the McDonnell Administration—Sam Nixon to become Virginia’s CIO and Matt Lohr to become commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Speaker Howell and Delegates G. Glenn Oder (Newport News) and Lee Ware (Powhatan) will serve on the Commission, chaired by Fred Malek, founder and chairman of Thayer Capital Partners in executing the charge the Governor has set for the Commission, “We must make government simpler and easier to use, more efficient and more effective. That is the work of this Commission. The Commission members will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the state’s agencies, programs, and services to find out how we can make our state government work better for its owners, the people of Virginia. I look forward to working with these reform-minded leaders to examine how Virginia can better serve the taxpayers. Our state and local government employees have made Virginia one of the best managed states in the nation and just like them, I will always seek to make us even better.”

The Speaker has a long history of seeking these kinds of reform solutions, promoting new ideas and market-based reforms to improve the delivery of government services, maximize the return on investment of limited taxpayer dollars, and minimize the costs of government wherever possible.

The Speaker and Delegates Oder and Ware look forward to pursuing the many opportunities for reform in Virginia’s government with the Governor, Commission Chairman Malek, and the other member’s of the Commission.

In six weeks, Tony will be one of two new members of the House Republican Caucus. Republicans in the 27th District (Chesterfield) will nominate their Special Election candidate in the coming weeks.

The 26th District includes the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. Former Del. Matt Lohr represented the district before resigning to become Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“As recognized leader within the Caucus, Tim understands the duties required of this position and has the right temperament and experiences to be very successful in his important new capacity,” stated Speaker William J. Howell. “During these tough economic times and need to reform state government to make it smarter and simpler, it is imperative that we have an energetic, dedicated and knowledgeable member like Tim joining our leadership team. Like so many, I am looking forward to working with him and our Majority Caucus will be better off because of his leadership.”

The position of Caucus Chairman is one of four leadership roles within the House Republican Caucus. Others serving in leadership positions include Speaker William Howell, Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, and Majority Whip Kirk Cox.

“I humbly accept the responsibility that has been entrusted to me today,” Delegate Hugo said in accepting the position. “Since being elected, I have watched the Republican Caucus expand on its majority under our current leadership. I am thrilled to broaden my responsibilities within the caucus and relish the opportunity to serve the citizens of Virginia.”

Delegate Hugo was first elected to the House of Delegates in a special election in December 2002, filling a vacancy left by former Delegate Jay O’Brien. Delegate Hugo garnered over 67% of the vote in his first election. Now serving in his eighth year as a member, Delegate Hugo is a member of the Commerce and Labor, Finance, Transportation, and Privileges and Elections Committees. He represents parts of Fairfax, Centreville, Clifton, and Fairfax Station.

In making the appointment, McDonnell said, “Sam and I served together for twelve years in the House of Delegates. During that time I came to greatly admire and respect Sam’s intellect, character and understanding of the important issues facing the Commonwealth. Sam is a thought leader on information technology issues, both as a legislator and as a Senior Consultant at Richmond–based IT consulting firm CapTech Ventures. Sam’s experience in this fast–changing industry will be of tremendous benefit at VITA. I know he will do a great job for the citizens of Virginia.” (see Governor’s full press release)

Speaker Howell shared the Governor’s enthusiasm. “Sam Nixon is the ideal public servant – a recognized and respected leader with vision and integrity, a consensus builder with an uncanny ability to bring people together and harness their many talents, and a problem solver who’s proven time and again that he can fashion practical solutions that deliver real results on technology issues, business concerns and so many other pressing issues that people really care about,” said Speaker Howell. “These attributes make his selection as the Commonwealth’s next Chief Information Officer at the Virginia Information Technology Agency such wonderful and welcome news for all Virginians.” (see Speaker’s full press release)

Nixon takes over VITA as implementation of important reform legislation that passed during the 2010 Session of the General Assembly takes effect. Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell) carried House Bill 1034, which enhanced accountability by making the CIO accountable to the Governor, through the Secretary of Technology, and making other important improvements in the Commonwealth’s IT Governance. Byron chairs the Science and Technology Committee.

Del. Barbara Comstock (R-McLean) and other GOP leaders will host a “Hands Off My Healthcare Rally” in opposition to the National Health Care Bill, from 8:30 am to 11 am. Check out Delegate Comstock’s blog post for details.

Delegate Comstock led the effort of 55 members of the House Republican Caucus sending a letter to the Virginia Congressional Delegation asking them to vote no on the National Health Care Bill.

Speaker Howell commented on Lohr’s announcement:

Matt Lohr is a talented, hard-working and respected leader on agricultural and farming issues, which makes him an exceptionally fine choice for this important position.

(See full press release).

Lohr was first elected to the House in 2005 and is currently serving his 3rd term representing the 26th district, made up of the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County.

Lohr has been a life-long leader in Agriculture. He lives with his wife, Andrea, and their children, Caroline Belle and Carson Jacob, on a working farm that’s been in Lohr’s family for over 100 years. In High School, Matt was president of Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA) and then served as vice-president of the National FFA Organization. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995. In addition to working the family farm, Matt has taught agricultural science, served as president of the Broadway–Timberville Ruritan Club, served as president of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau twice, chaired the Rockingham County Planning Commission, and most recently chaired the Rockingham County School Board. Matt and his family are also active members and leaders at Harrisonburg Baptist Church.

In the House of Delegates, Matt serves on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, and chaired its Agriculture Subcommittee.