Stephen Newman
Stephen Dwayne Newman (born October 15, 1964) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He has served in the Virginia General Assembly since 1991, first in the House (1991-1996) and then to the Senate of Virginia (1996-present). In 2016, Newman became president pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia. However, in the 2019 Virginia Senate election, although Newman won re-election from his district, Democrats won the majority. On January 8, 2020, Louise Lucas, a senior Democratic senator succeeded Newman as president pro tempore.
Stephen Newman | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate | |
| In office January 13, 2016 – January 8, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Walter Stosch |
| Succeeded by | Louise Lucas |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 23rd district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Elliot Schewel |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 23rd district | |
| In office January 8, 1992 – January 10, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Harris |
| Succeeded by | Preston Bryant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephen Dwayne Newman October 15, 1964 Stuart, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kim |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg College |
| Committees | Commerce and Labor Education and Health Finance and Appropriations Transportation |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
Newman was born on October 15, 1964,[1] in Stuart, Virginia.[2] His family later moved to Rustburg, Virginia, where he attended Liberty Christian Academy.[2] Newman then attended Central Virginia Community College and Lynchburg College.[1]
Career
Newman spent four years as a member of the Lynchburg City Council before being elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.[2] He was a member of the House of Delegates from 1992 to 1996, and was elected to the Virginia Senate in 1995. He represents Senate District 23, which includes all of Botetourt and Craig counties and parts of Campbell County, Bedford County, Roanoke County, and Lynchburg City.[1] His district is a safe Republican seat.[2]
Newman is chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Health.[1][2] Over his decades in the state legislature, Newman gained a reputation as a staunch conservative and a member with a talent for consensus-seeking and negotiation.[2] In 2006, he was a sponsor of the Marshall-Newman Amendment, which banned same-sex marriage in Virginia.[2][3] He opposed Medicaid expansion in Virginia.[4] He opposed 2014 legislation to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia.[5]
In January 2016, Newman was elected president pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia.[2][6] The main duty of the pro tem is to preside over the state Senate when the lieutenant governor of Virginia (who is the president of the Senate) is unable to do so.
Notes
- Stephen D. Newman, Senate of Virginia.
- Alex Rohr, Steve Newman's quiet rise to legislative leadership, News & Advance (March 12, 2016).
- Ray Reed, [Local delegation dislikes AG's same-sex marriage decision], News & Advance (January 24, 2014).
- Alicia Petska, Lynchburg legislators remain critical of Medicaid expansion, News & Advance (July 10, 2014).
- Alicia Petska, Lynchburg area legislators oppose bill to decriminalize marijuana, News & Advance (December 14, 2014).
- Alex Rohr, Newman named Va. Senate president pro tem, News & Advance (January 13, 2016).
External links
- Official campaign website
- "Stephen D. Newman". Virginia Public Access Project.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| Senate of Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Walter Stosch |
President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate 2016–2020 |
Succeeded by Louise Lucas |