Louise Lucas
Encyclopedia
L. Louise Lucas is a Democratic
member of the Senate of Virginia
, representing the 18th District since 1992. She was defeated by Republican Randy Forbes
in the 2001 special election to replace U.S. Congressman Norman Sisisky
, who had died in office. In 2008 two companies which she controls applied for Empowerment Zone bonds to build a conference center in Portsmouth, VA. The request for approval was denied by city council on a 3-2 vote with two council members who had a financial interest in the project abstaining. The companies, still controlled by Lucas, later filed a $97.7 million suit against the City of Portsmouth (home of most of her constituents) claiming the companies were discriminated against because they were led and funded mostly by African-Americans. The suit also named those Council members who voted against the original proposal and the CIty Attorney. Council later reconsidered the decision, but nonetheless still denied funding. The suit was dropped after the second denial.
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...
member of the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
, representing the 18th District since 1992. She was defeated by Republican Randy Forbes
Randy Forbes
James Randy Forbes is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
in the 2001 special election to replace U.S. Congressman Norman Sisisky
Norman Sisisky
Norman Sisisky was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from 1983 to 2001, representing the 4th District. He was a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress at the time.Sisisky was born in Baltimore, Maryland...
, who had died in office. In 2008 two companies which she controls applied for Empowerment Zone bonds to build a conference center in Portsmouth, VA. The request for approval was denied by city council on a 3-2 vote with two council members who had a financial interest in the project abstaining. The companies, still controlled by Lucas, later filed a $97.7 million suit against the City of Portsmouth (home of most of her constituents) claiming the companies were discriminated against because they were led and funded mostly by African-Americans. The suit also named those Council members who voted against the original proposal and the CIty Attorney. Council later reconsidered the decision, but nonetheless still denied funding. The suit was dropped after the second denial.
Gun control
- Lucas has voted multiple times against Castle Doctrine bills
- In January 2011, Lucas 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, Lucas 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.
External links
- Senate of Virginia - Senator L. Louise Lucas official government site
- Project Vote Smart - Senator L. Louise Lucas (VA) profile
- Follow the Money - L Louise Lucas
- Washington Post - Senate District 18 Race