Majority leader retiring from Virginia Senate
Saslaw ending political career after 48 years
RICHMOND — Dick Saslaw, the acerbic, influential, business-friendly Democratic majority leader of the Virginia Senate, on Thursday announced plans to retire, saying he is proud of the legacy he will leave behind as his nearly five decades in state politics come to a close.
“Sooner or later, you know, you’ve got to realize that you’re going to have to move on. But it’s been a very interesting and a great 48 years,” the 83-year-old Saslaw, whose term will end in January, said in a floor speech.
A businessman and Army veteran, Saslaw is the Senate’s longest-serving member. He joined in 1980 after four years in the House of Delegates. While representing a northern Virginia district, he has been a resolute defender of abortion rights and a strong ally of Dominion Energy on regulatory issues. He helped lead the push for Medicaid expansion and at times staked out more centrist positions than many fellow Democrats on criminal justice issues.
Saslaw’s announcement was followed by an outpouring of bipartisan praise from colleagues as his wife, Eleanor, looked on from the gallery, along with other admirers, including lobbyists who donned shirts sporting his photo. Several speakers seemed close to tears as they heralded him as a legend in Virginia politics, as well as a hard-working, loyal and brutally honest friend and colleague.
“He is the epitome of a Virginia gentleman,” said Republican Sen. Ryan McDougle.
Another Republican, Jill Vogel, said she was initially leery of Saslaw’s tough reputation recalled a “terrifying” first encounter with him. But it took just a week or two to be charmed, she said.
“He is joyful. He is fun. Even when he’s fuming and furious, he’s
still a little bit funny,” Vogel said.
Saslaw’s news is part of a recent flurry of retirement announcements as the ongoing legislative session draws to a close.
All 140 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in the fall in an election that has the chance to substantially reshape the Democrat-controlled Senate and GOP-controlled House.
Saslaw made self-deprecating quips about his age as he said it was simply time to retire.
“I did serve with a man whose father fought in the Civil War. I didn’t fight in the Civil War,” said Saslaw, who does often joke that he’s so old he confabbed with the founding fathers.
Saslaw said he thought that during his time in office, lawmakers had improved the lives of Virginia citizens, especially racial minorities, while at the same time maintaining a business-friendly environment. But he also warned that the General Assembly has become too partisan.
“One of the big changes that I’ve seen over the years is that we’ve lost the ability to compromise. And that is really unfortunate. When I first got here, things got worked out,” he said.
Saslaw served with 13 governors and said meeting Queen Elizabeth twice was among the many highlights of his time in public office.
“I can’t just tell you how great it’s been,” he said.