The Daily Press has coverage of Delegate Gear's career of public service.

Because the General Assembly is not in session, Governor McDonnell has authority to issue a writ of election for a special election in the 91st District. Vacancies occurring when the House is in session are filled in special elections called by the Speaker of the House.

At present, two seats in the House are vacant. The Caucus looks forward to welcoming Greg Habeeb to the House on January 12 after the Special Election in District 8 to fill the vacancy created by Morgan Griffith's election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Caucus stands ready to assist the Republican nominee in the special election called to fill the vacancy caused by Delegate Gear's resignation. Republicans in the 91st District, including portions of Hampton City and York County and the City of Poquoson. The official call for the nomination will be issued by the 91st Legislative District Committee and, once issued, will appear on the RPV website.

Habeeb will likely face Ginger Mumpower, if as reported in the Salem Times-Register, she is nominated tonight by the local Democrats.

Habeeb, a southwest Virginia native, and attorney with Roanoke-based GentryLocke, has come out swinging with a campaign up and running for the special election, which Gov. McDonnell is expected to call for Jan. 11, 2011, the day before the 2011 session of the General Assembly convenes.

What can you do to help?

• Contribute to Greg through his website
• Follow him on Twitter
• And Like his campaign page on Facebook

Check out the coverage of Greg's campaign to date—

• WSLS TV NBC 10
• Washington Post Blog

For a map and recent election statistics for House District 8, check VPAP

On Saturday, November 20, at 4 pm, Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo and Barbara Comstock will join colleagues from the Virginia Senate to provide attendees with a preview of the 2011 General Assembly session.

• 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.