Chap Petersen
Encyclopedia
John Chapman "Chap" Petersen (born March 27, 1968 in Fairfax, Virginia
) is an American politician. A Democrat
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
2002–06 and was elected to the Virginia State Senate in November 2007. He the state's 34th district, made up of the city of Fairfax and part of Fairfax County
.
degree from Williams College
in 1990 and a J.D.
from the University of Virginia School of Law
in 1994, when he began practicing law. He a partner with the law firm of Surovell, Markle, Isaacs & Levy, PLC.
Petersen's wife Sharon (born September 10, 1970, Daegu
, South Korea
), is also a practicing attorney. They and their children, Eva, Mary Walton and Thomas live in Fairfax City.
1998–2001. He was elected to two terms in the House of Delegates, both times (2001 and 2003) defeating his predecessor, Republican
Jack Rust.
In 2005, Petersen ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
. He was defeated in the Democratic primary, finishing third with 22% of the vote in a four-way race, behind State Senator Leslie L. Byrne
and State Delegate Viola Baskerville
, but ahead of State Senator Phil Puckett
.
In 2006, Petersen was a senior advisor to Democratic Senate candidate Jim Webb
, who defeated incumbent Republican Senator George Allen
.
, in the November election, taking 55% of the vote. The district had been the most Democratic state senate district held by a Republican.
. Davis's website also contains references to past Petersen votes. Petersen responded that he never voted to increase the Virginia estate tax. Petersen co-sponsored bills, including SB 1309, intending to preserve the tax for Virginians in higher income brackets. Petersen also denied ever supporting a 38 cent gas tax increase. Petersen recently explained that he supported the current law which makes it a felony to possess a gun on school grounds, but voted for a bipartisan bill, HB 2535, which gave a limited exception to parents with licensed concealed carry permits who pick up their children at school, for just school driveways. That bill was signed into law in 2005.
Petersen held a press conference on October 26 in front of Devolites-Davis' headquarters in Fairfax. He said that "words cannot describe the anger I feel" about the flyer, and called it "shocking" that Devolites-Davis would use his personal information in such a manner. Petersen said that advertising his personal information was not in and of itself a problem, but using it in an attack ad went too far. Such tactics, Petersen said, endangered his family. In response, Devolites-Davis said in her own press conference that Petersen himself published the names and pictures of his family, and showed a mailer from the Petersen campaign showing pictures of his children. The mailer identifies the children by name. She also claimed that Petersen's campaign uploaded a video to YouTube
which brought up her daughter's armed robbery conviction of several years ago. However, according to Washington CBS
affiliate WUSA
, there is no evidence anyone from the Petersen camp uploaded the video.
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
) is an American politician. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
2002–06 and was elected to the Virginia State Senate in November 2007. He the state's 34th district, made up of the city of Fairfax and part of Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
.
Early life
Petersen was born in 1968 in Fairfax. He grew up in the city and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1986. He received a B.A.Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1990 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
in 1994, when he began practicing law. He a partner with the law firm of Surovell, Markle, Isaacs & Levy, PLC.
Petersen's wife Sharon (born September 10, 1970, Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
), is also a practicing attorney. They and their children, Eva, Mary Walton and Thomas live in Fairfax City.
Political career
Petersen served on the Fairfax city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
1998–2001. He was elected to two terms in the House of Delegates, both times (2001 and 2003) defeating his predecessor, Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Jack Rust.
In 2005, Petersen ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor and Attorney General. The office is currently held by Republican William T. Bolling. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected...
. He was defeated in the Democratic primary, finishing third with 22% of the vote in a four-way race, behind State Senator Leslie L. Byrne
Leslie L. Byrne
Leslie Byrne is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia, and was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia...
and State Delegate Viola Baskerville
Viola Baskerville
Viola Baskerville served as Secretary of Administration in the Cabinet of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine from 2006 to 2010....
, but ahead of State Senator Phil Puckett
Phillip Puckett
Phillip P. Puckett is an American politician. A Democrat, he was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1997. He the 38th district, made up of five counties and parts of four others in the southwestern part of the state.In 2005, Puckett ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
.
In 2006, Petersen was a senior advisor to Democratic Senate candidate Jim Webb
Jim Webb
James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, who defeated incumbent Republican Senator George Allen
George Allen (U.S. politician)
George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
.
2007 State Senate election
Petersen announced his candidacy for the 34th district seat in the State Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. He defeated the incumbent Republican, Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis, wife of Congressman Tom DavisThomas M. Davis
Thomas Milburn "Tom" Davis III was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Virginia's 11th congressional district in Northern Virginia. Davis was considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by five-term incumbent and fellow Republican John...
, in the November election, taking 55% of the vote. The district had been the most Democratic state senate district held by a Republican.
Gun Control
- Petersen has voted multiple times against Castle DoctrineCastle DoctrineA Castle Doctrine is an American legal doctrine arising from English common law that designates one's place of residence as a place in which one enjoys protection from illegal trespassing and violent attack...
bills- In January 2011, Petersen voted against Senate Bill 876 (Castle Doctrine) which would have allowed “a lawful occupant use of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder in his dwelling who has committed an overt act against him, without civil liability.”
- In February 2011, Petersen was one of eight senators on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee who “passed by indefinitely” House Bill 1573, defeating the bill by an 8 to 4 margin.
Controversy over voting record
In mid-October 2007, Petersen's opponent began running television ads showing a photo of her opponent Chap Petersen with text stating "Supports Increasing the Estate Tax," "Supports a 38 cent gas tax increase," and "Voted for Concealed Weapons on School Property" superimposed. The voice over attributes these allegations to Petersen's prior votes in the Virginia House of DelegatesVirginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
. Davis's website also contains references to past Petersen votes. Petersen responded that he never voted to increase the Virginia estate tax. Petersen co-sponsored bills, including SB 1309, intending to preserve the tax for Virginians in higher income brackets. Petersen also denied ever supporting a 38 cent gas tax increase. Petersen recently explained that he supported the current law which makes it a felony to possess a gun on school grounds, but voted for a bipartisan bill, HB 2535, which gave a limited exception to parents with licensed concealed carry permits who pick up their children at school, for just school driveways. That bill was signed into law in 2005.
Campaign flyer flap
During the week of October 22, 2007, the Devolites-Davis campaign sent out 60,000 campaign flyers accusing Petersen of not disclosing that his former law firm was working on issues that Petersen voted on while in the House of Delegates. The flyer included a copy of a section of Petersen's Statement of Economic Interest, which he filed while serving in the House. It includes Petersen's home address, telephone number, and the names of his wife and four children. This information was not redacted by the Devolites-Davis campaign.Petersen held a press conference on October 26 in front of Devolites-Davis' headquarters in Fairfax. He said that "words cannot describe the anger I feel" about the flyer, and called it "shocking" that Devolites-Davis would use his personal information in such a manner. Petersen said that advertising his personal information was not in and of itself a problem, but using it in an attack ad went too far. Such tactics, Petersen said, endangered his family. In response, Devolites-Davis said in her own press conference that Petersen himself published the names and pictures of his family, and showed a mailer from the Petersen campaign showing pictures of his children. The mailer identifies the children by name. She also claimed that Petersen's campaign uploaded a video to YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
which brought up her daughter's armed robbery conviction of several years ago. However, according to Washington CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WUSA
WUSA (TV)
WUSA is a television station broadcasting on channel 9 in Washington, D.C.. Owned by the Gannett Company, WUSA is an affiliate of the CBS television network, and the longest-tenured affiliate of that network...
, there is no evidence anyone from the Petersen camp uploaded the video.
External links
- Chap Petersen blog at OxRoadSouth.com
- Project Vote Smart - John Chapman 'Chap' Petersen profile
- Follow the Money - J Chapman Petersen
- Washington Post - Senate District 34 Race