2 contend for GOP nod in 96th House district
Two prominent upper Peninsula Republicans are vying for the nod as candidate to succeed retiring Del. Brenda Pogge — one, Amanda Batten, is Pogge's key staffer, while the other, Melanie Rapp Beale, is the legislator Pogge succeeded in 2007.
And that makes for the kind of race party activists find most difficult. Both have been active in James City and York County GOP politics for years, paying the door-knocking, envelopestuffing, sign-posting dues that General Assembly members and county elected officials find it hard to forget.
Both say they're strong opponents of any tax increases. Both say they are strongly opposed to abortion. Both promise to be strong supporters of gun rights. Batten, a three-term chairwoman of the James City County Republican committee, was legislative aide to Pogge, who decided not to seek re-election this year. Batten also served as legislative aide to state Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City — though she says that if elected, her first bill would seek to eliminate the sales tax surcharge Norment pushed in 2018 to fund tourism efforts in the Historic Triangle. She said such a measure should be subject to a referendum vote.
As an aide, Batten worked hard on the budget amendment that funded a 24-hour crisis intervention team in the district to help people in mental health crises, tried to ease regulation of cooperative preschools and worked to expand sound barriers along Interstate 64.
She is currently eastern vice chairwoman of the Republican Party's state central committee, but after more than a decide in politics, this is her first run for elected office.
Rapp Beale represented the 96th District from 2001 to 2007, winning a special election to succeed Jo Ann Davis when she was elected to Congress. A former school teacher, Rapp Beale also served on the York County Board of Supervisors.
During her time in the legislature, she was known as a firm advocate for lowering taxes and was the sponsor of the law requiring drivers to move over when police or other emergency workers are on the side of a road, as well as legislation to protect against price gouging after natural disasters.
She now works for Dominion Energy Virginia as a community affairs manager.
Batten says that besides tackling the Historic Triangle tax surcharge, her top priorities are reining in health care costs by allowing small businesses and associations to pool resources to find lower-cost health insurance options and to expand education options for students though increased cooperation with businesses.
“As legislative aide to Del. Pogge, and previously to Senator Norment, I've spent the better part of the last decade engaging on a daily basis with residents of the 96th District,” Batten said in response to a Daily Press questionnaire sent to the candidates. “I can hit the ground running because I understand the district's current issues as well as the challenges of today's unique political climate.”
Rapp Beale said her top priorities are to prevent massive tax increases, to oppose abortion and to protect gun rights. If elected, she said her first bill would be a budget amendment to ban payment of state funds to Planned Parenthood. She said she also wants to encourage high school students to consider learning a trade and to make sure the Interstate 64 widening stays on track.
“I have been paying attention to politics since I was in high school when Ronald Reagan was President,” Rapp Beale said. “I felt called to run once again for the Virginia House of Delegates because I have seen the legislation proposed by Democrats and I am very concerned for our commonwealth and country.”
Amanda Batten
Current occupation: Legislative Aide to Del. Brenda Pogge. Age: 39.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Ashford University.
Previous public office: none.
Melanie Rapp Beale
Current occupation: Community affairs manager, Dominion Energy Virginia.
Age: 54.
Education: B.A. international culture and commerce, Christopher Newport University, M.S., Education, Old Dominion University.
Previous public office: York County Board of Supervisors; House of Delegates 2001-2007.