Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta) has announced he will not seek re-election. To run again Hanger would have to move because of redistricting and he has declined to do that.
Hanger has been a moderate leader in the Senate. He worked with Democrats in 2018 to extend Medicaid coverage to 725,000 Virginians as part of Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Republicans had blocked the expansion for 6 years and were unhappy with Hangar’s actions.
Six of the seven most senior senators are retiring. Only Senator Louise Lucas, (D-Portsmouth) remains and she faces a primary against Senator Lionell Spruill Sr., (D-Chesapeake) on June 20th.
More on the Hanger story here and here.
Delegate Will Wampler of southwest Virginia has also announced he will not run again.
