“Clay has been a true champion for the interests and values of the citizens he ably has represented from Warren, Frederick and Fauquier Counties since 2002.  His legal acumen and steady stewardship of the Civil Subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee, of which he also was Vice Chair,  garnered well-deserved praise on both sides of the aisle.  He also has been a long-standing advocate for government reform, especially in the vital areas of transportation, education and health care.  His success in these and many other policy areas have resulted from his uncanny ability to listen and bring people together around sensible solutions to the every day challenges faces by hard-working, law-abiding and tax-paying Virginians and their families.

“Family is a true blessing and, like so many, I’ve known Clay as a loving family man, which was the impetus for today’s decision so he could spend more time with his wonderful wife, Stacey, and be more involved in the raising of his beautiful children Madagan and Clayton.  I commend and thank Clay for his distinguished service and wish him continued success in what I hope will be a rewarding life beyond the General Assembly.”

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“I wholeheartedly congratulate Gordon Helsel on his very strong win in yesterday’s special election,” said Speaker Howell.  “Delegate-elect Helsel combines distinguished service in business, the military and government with an energetic style and common-sense approach to problem solving.  As a dedicated proponent of keeping taxes competitively low and expanding job-creating opportunities, Gordon possesses not only a valuable understanding of these and other central issues but also a desire to advance practical solutions that produce real results for those he serves.  These and many more admirable characteristics make him an ideal addition to our once-again 61-member strong House Republican Majority.  Like so many, I look forward to serving with Delegate Helsel in his latest leadership position.”

Speaker Howell has decided to appoint Delegate Helsel to two important standing committees of the House of Delegates.  He will serve on the House Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee as well as the House Science and Technology (S&T) Committee.  Among other matters, the HWI Committee considers issues concerning person with disabilities, public buildings and public health professions as well as public policies surrounding drugs, social services and welfare and the regulation of health care professionals and associated occupations.  Helsel will replace Delegate Clay Athey who volunteered to give him up seat on that committee.  The S&T Committee focuses primarily on matters relating to technology, engineering, research and development; standards and measures; and the critical area of enhancing the effectiveness of government through technology.

In addition, the Speaker is appointing Delegate Helsel to the Fort Monroe Authority Board of Trustees.  He will fill former Delegate Gear’s position on this panel that’s so important to the future of the Lower Peninsula.

William J. Howell is the 54^th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and has led the 100-member chamber since 2003.  First elected a delegate in 1987, he represents the 28^th House District, which includes parts of Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.  As Speaker, Howell performs a number of duties, including assigning all bills to House committees and appointing the chairs and members of each of the 14 standing committees of the House.  He also name delegates and citizens to various boards and commissions.

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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

The State Board of Elections has the unofficial returns at its website:

• HD 26: Wilt Defeats Degner
• HD 27: Robinson Defeats Brown

Delegate-elect Wilt will represent the 26th District, which includes the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. Wilt succeeds former delegate Matt Lohr, who resigned to become Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Delegate-elect Robinson will represent the 27th District, which covers a portion of Chesterfield County. Robinson succeeds former delegate Sam Nixon, who resigned to become Virginia's Chief Information Officer and head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA).

Biographical information on the two delegates-elect is available on their respective websites:

• Tony Wilt's Biography
• Roxann Robinson's Biography

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.

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.

Nixon resigned to become the Commonwealth's Chief Information Officer, leading the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA). Lohr resigned to become Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The new members have created a House Republican Majority of 61 members.

The New Members

Will Morefield - 3rd District
Bill Cleaveland - 17th District
Dickie Bell - 20th District
Ron Villanueva - 21st District
Scott Garrett - 23rd District
Tag Greason - 32nd District
Barbara Comstock - 34th District
Rich Anderson - 51st District
John Cox - 55th District
James Edmunds - 60th District
Jim LeMunyon - 67 District
Chris Stolle - 83rd District