Va. State Sen. Ticer Calling It Quits

NBC ^ | 17 Feb 2011 | JULIE CAREY

[csvset]

A longtime northern Virginia political figure has decided to calls it quits.

In an emotional speech on the Virginia Senate floor, Alexandria Democrat Patsy Ticer told her colleagues, "I have finally come to the end of the line."

Ticer's 30th senate district covers Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties. She's been a fixture in local politics since 1982 when she was first elected to Alexandria's City Council. She became the city's first female mayor in 1991 and held that position until she was elected to the state Senate in 1995.

As Alexandria mayor, Ticer helped lead the high profile fight against former Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke's efforts to build a stadium at Potomac Yard. In the Senate, she was known as a strong advocate for children, education funding and women's rights.

Ticer was a honored today with a standing ovation from her colleagues. She acknowledged it will be strange stepping away from elective office after three decades.

"It's hard for me to imagine what my life will be like not being in public office, but I look forward to this new challenge," she said.

There will be fierce competition for Ticer's seat in the solidly Democratic district. Delegate Adam Ebbin, Alexandria Councilman Rob Krupicka and Arlington School Board Chairman Libby Garvey have announced their intent to run for the Democratic nomination if Ticer retired.

[Corin Stormhands]

Of the three listed here, which one is most likely to succeed?

I really don't know the district well enough to answer that.

[Corin Stormhands]

She sees the writing on the wall and knows that the razor thin majority the Rats have in the Senate is gone this November.

She's also a 76-yr-old widow. She could win again if she wanted to.

[DarthVader]

Ginny could win again but several of her colleagues will not. Most conservative Dems in Dem districts see their own party as the enemy now.

[originalbuckeye]

Yep!

[Corin Stormhands]

Who’s Ginny? It’s Patsy Ticer.

And yes, I agree that she understands she would be in the minority. But I know Senator Ticer. All I’m really saying is that ~for her~ age and the fact that she lost her husband a few years ago are as strong a consideration for her as the possibility of being in the minority.