Del. Phil Hamilton walks away from an unanswered door in August while canvassing the Village Green neighborhood in Newport News. (Diane Cebula, Daily Press / August 22, 2009)
NEWPORT NEWS — In dumping Del. Phil Hamilton on Tuesday, Peninsula voters said clearly that they were unwilling to overlook ethical lapses in exchange for legislative influence.
With experts expecting tougher budget decisions and looming cuts, local leaders are lamenting the loss of an influential legislator with a General Assembly history that dates to the late 1980s.
"Over two decades, Phil Hamilton worked very hard to become one of the most knowledgeable and effective members of the General Assembly," said Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible. "His influence will be sorely missed by the citizens of the Peninsula."
Trible said Hamilton played a "decisive role" in securing state funding for major construction projects at CNU, the College of William and Mary and other state-supported schools.
Hamilton's election defeat is a major blow for House Republicans who considered him a go-to lawmaker on education, health care and spending. But Hamilton's fall also means local museums, universities and others that rely on state funding are going to have to find a new forceful advocate in Richmond.
Despite the ethics inquiry into Hamilton's $40,000-a-year-job at Old Dominion University, Hamilton remained the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. While it's unclear if Hamilton would have continued to serve as a budget negotiator, he most certainly would have remained a backer of increased spending on mental health and public education.
Hamilton was a frequent visitor to the Virginia Living Museum, said executive director Page Hayhurst. Hamilton was the kind of leader who could convince the secretary of education to swing down for a tour to see local initiatives, including the large groups of students who go to the museum for formal programs on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"He was very hands-on," Hayhurst said. "It really helped to have someone who spoke our language."
For example, the museum distributes "discovery boxes" to teachers throughout the state that include lesson plans and other tools to help students bone up on subjects like marine biology or the natural history at Jamestown. Hamilton was kind of a liaison for the program in Richmond, where he could talk to lawmakers from every corner of Virginia about a program that they could take home.
"He could say, 'You should support this organization because it affects the whole state,'" she said. "We will miss Phil."
Asking for state money can be a complex endeavor in which advocates must make the case that they deserve funding for their project — be it a new science building or a program for at-risk children. Hamilton's position meant local leaders had a friendly ear in Richmond, said Quentin Kidd, an associate professor of politics at CNU.
"It gives you an easier opportunity to make the case on merit," Kidd said. "It's access."
Kidd said most voters understand that it's not a case of insider dealmaking.
"That's what a delegate is supposed to do," Kidd said. "He was really well-known on the Peninsula for advocating strongly for local projects."
Hamilton's replacement, Democrat Robin Abbott, is going to have a hard time replicating his ability to bring back state dollars, Kidd said. After the past few rounds of elections, the partisan landscape in Richmond doesn't feature Hampton Roads lawmakers in top leadership positions, especially on the two money committees.
"The Peninsula, and Hampton Roads much more broadly, has trouble," Kidd said. "The question is who else can move up into positions of power."
Trible said it will be difficult to replace Hamilton, but he remains confident in the bright future of the Peninsula and Hampton Roads.
"There's no one who will take his place immediately, but over time, others will achieve seniority and influence," said Trible, a former U.S. senator. "Life does go on. I once lost an election, and the United States of America managed to move ahead."
of News
• Inside the numbers on Hamilton's loss.
• Hamilton timeline.
In Nation&World
• Will election losses erode "Blue Dog" Democrats' support for Obama? Page 15 of News
With experts expecting tougher budget decisions and looming cuts, local leaders are lamenting the loss of an influential legislator with a General Assembly history that dates to the late 1980s.
"Over two decades, Phil Hamilton worked very hard to become one of the most knowledgeable and effective members of the General Assembly," said Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible. "His influence will be sorely missed by the citizens of the Peninsula."
Trible said Hamilton played a "decisive role" in securing state funding for major construction projects at CNU, the College of William and Mary and other state-supported schools.
Hamilton's election defeat is a major blow for House Republicans who considered him a go-to lawmaker on education, health care and spending. But Hamilton's fall also means local museums, universities and others that rely on state funding are going to have to find a new forceful advocate in Richmond.
Despite the ethics inquiry into Hamilton's $40,000-a-year-job at Old Dominion University, Hamilton remained the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. While it's unclear if Hamilton would have continued to serve as a budget negotiator, he most certainly would have remained a backer of increased spending on mental health and public education.
Hamilton was a frequent visitor to the Virginia Living Museum, said executive director Page Hayhurst. Hamilton was the kind of leader who could convince the secretary of education to swing down for a tour to see local initiatives, including the large groups of students who go to the museum for formal programs on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"He was very hands-on," Hayhurst said. "It really helped to have someone who spoke our language."
For example, the museum distributes "discovery boxes" to teachers throughout the state that include lesson plans and other tools to help students bone up on subjects like marine biology or the natural history at Jamestown. Hamilton was kind of a liaison for the program in Richmond, where he could talk to lawmakers from every corner of Virginia about a program that they could take home.
"He could say, 'You should support this organization because it affects the whole state,'" she said. "We will miss Phil."
Asking for state money can be a complex endeavor in which advocates must make the case that they deserve funding for their project — be it a new science building or a program for at-risk children. Hamilton's position meant local leaders had a friendly ear in Richmond, said Quentin Kidd, an associate professor of politics at CNU.
"It gives you an easier opportunity to make the case on merit," Kidd said. "It's access."
Kidd said most voters understand that it's not a case of insider dealmaking.
"That's what a delegate is supposed to do," Kidd said. "He was really well-known on the Peninsula for advocating strongly for local projects."
Hamilton's replacement, Democrat Robin Abbott, is going to have a hard time replicating his ability to bring back state dollars, Kidd said. After the past few rounds of elections, the partisan landscape in Richmond doesn't feature Hampton Roads lawmakers in top leadership positions, especially on the two money committees.
"The Peninsula, and Hampton Roads much more broadly, has trouble," Kidd said. "The question is who else can move up into positions of power."
Trible said it will be difficult to replace Hamilton, but he remains confident in the bright future of the Peninsula and Hampton Roads.
"There's no one who will take his place immediately, but over time, others will achieve seniority and influence," said Trible, a former U.S. senator. "Life does go on. I once lost an election, and the United States of America managed to move ahead."
Big shoes to fill
Democrat Robin Abbott is likely to have a hard time replicating Del. Phil Hamilton's success at winning state funding for local projects. Hamilton was a powerful budget negotiator with more than 20 years in Richmond. As a rookie legislator, Abbott will be part of a smaller minority party in the House.
More election coverage
On Page 4of News
• Inside the numbers on Hamilton's loss.
• Hamilton timeline.
In Nation&World
• Will election losses erode "Blue Dog" Democrats' support for Obama? Page 15 of News
