Vivian Watts

Vivian Edna Watts (born June 7, 1940) is an American politician who is serving as a Democrat in the Virginia House of Delegates. She currently represents the 39th district, which includes part of Fairfax County.[1][2]

Vivian E. Watts
Watts in 2012
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 39th district
Assumed office
January 10, 1996
Preceded byAlan E. Mayer
In office
January 12, 1983 – January 14, 1986
Preceded byJohnny Joannou
L. Cleaves Manning
Succeeded byAlan E. Mayer
7th Virginia Secretary of Transportation
and Public Safety
In office
January 14, 1986 – January 1990
GovernorGerald Baliles
Preceded byAndrew B. Fogarty
Succeeded byJohn G. Milliken
(as Secretary of Transportation)
Robert L. Suthard
(as Secretary of Public Safety)
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 51st district
In office
January 13, 1982 – January 12, 1983
Serving with Jim Dillard, Robert E. Harris
Preceded byGeorge W. Grayson
Succeeded byDavid G. Brickley
Personal details
Born (1940-06-07) June 7, 1940
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)David A. Watts
ChildrenCynthia Simpson, Jeffrey E. Watts
ResidenceAnnandale, Virginia
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
CommitteesCourts of Justice; Finance; Science and Technology
Websitewww.vivianwatts.com

From 2009 to 2019 alone, Watts introduced and passed 45 pieces of legislation that became law.[3]

As of May 2020 Watts serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the Courts of Justice Committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee and Transportation Committee.[4]

Career

Watts was first elected in 1981, but left to serve as the state's Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety in 1986. She was again elected to the House in 1996. From 2009 to 2019, Watts introduced and passed 45 pieces of legislation that became law.[3]

Watts formerly worked to prevent crime and imprisonment as the Executive Director of Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). In this role, she worked with children in court cases of severe abuse and neglect.[5]

In 2017, Watts became the longest-serving woman ever in the Virginia House of Delegates.[6]

Legislative issues

Watts' legislative achievements include fighting for progressive tax policies and increased funding for education and transportation.[7]

Watts has said that her top three legislative priorities in 2019 are:[8]

  1. restoring the funding to meet Northern Virginia transportation needs,
  2. restructuring and expanding mental health services, and
  3. making the state's school funding formula more equitable to benefit Fairfax County.

The Virginia Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education has endorsed her because she has consistently voted for legislation supporting public education.[9]

Publications

Watts has authored two books on public safety and criminal justice through a U.S. Justice Department grant.[10]

Awards and recognition

Watts has been given various awards for her legislative work, including the Virginia Counselors Association Outstanding Legislator Award, Virginia Association of Commonwealth Attorneys “Champion of Justice” Award, League of Women Voters of Virginia Good Governance Award, and Virginia Interfaith Center "Legislator of the Year" Award.[11]

Personal life

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, but has been a resident of Virginia since 1963, and has four grandchildren. She married her husband, David Watts, in 1960.[2]

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References
  1. "Bio for Vivian E. Watts". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  2. "About Vivian". Delegate Vivian Watts. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  3. "LIS Virginia". Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  4. "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  5. "Vivian Watts". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  6. Schneider, Gregory S. (March 13, 2018). "Women who made history in recent elections are changing Virginia House". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  7. "About". Delegate Vivian Watts. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  8. "Vivian Watts". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  9. "General Assembly". Virginia Education Association. 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  10. "About". Delegate Vivian Watts. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  11. "About". Delegate Vivian Watts. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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