Ward Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Ward Lynn Armstrong is an American
trial lawyer
and politician
. He has been a Democratic
member of the Virginia House of Delegates
since 1992. He currently serves as the Minority leader
.
, graduating from John D. Bassett High School
in 1974. He then attended Duke University
, where he earned a business degree
in 1977. In 1980, Armstrong received a JD
degree from the University of Richmond School of Law
.
During law school, he studied for a summer at the University of Cambridge
in England
. After law school, he worked as a law clerk
to Justice W. Carrington Thompson
of the Supreme Court of Virginia
for one year. He has practiced law in Martinsville, Virginia
since 1981.
As of early 2008, Armstrong said he would oppose closing an exemption for one-on-one gun sales between individuals from instant background checks (the so-called "gun show loophole"), even though he usually plays a key role in rallying Democratic support for Governor
Tim Kaine
's agenda, saying "My constituents pretty much expect me to oppose it," he said. "Carroll County
is my district, and it¹s home to one of the largest gun shows on the East Coast." Armstrong, with two young daughters of his own, said he is filled with sympathy for the Virginia Tech Massacre
victims but that it won't sway his opposition to closing the loophole. "As legislators, we have to be dispassionate when it comes to the law."
The Virginia Fifth Congressional District
Democratic Committee awarded Armstrong the A. L. Philpott
Award for Leadership. He is past president of the Martinsville-Henry County Bar Association; a member of the Virginia Museum of Transportation
's Board of Directors
; and a member of the Norfolk and Western Historical Society. He has served on the Board of Deacons
at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church].
Armstrong was defeated on November 8, 2011 while running for re-election in the House of Delegates 9th District. Armstrong was placed in the 16th District during the required redistricting after the 2010 census. The 16th district seat was held by Republican incumbent Donald Merricks. Armstrong chose to relocate and challenge Republican incumbent Charles Poindexter in the 9th House district. He left his home and moved into his mother-in-law's house in the town of Bassett. Poindexter defeated Armstrong with 53% to 47% of the vote. During his 2011 campaign Armstrong raised and spent more than $1,000,000.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trial lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He has been a Democratic
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 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...
since 1992. He currently serves as the Minority leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
.
Early life
Armstrong was raised in Bassett, VirginiaBassett, Virginia
Bassett is a census-designated place in Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,338 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town was founded along a rail line by the same family that later started Bassett Furniture. Bassett...
, graduating from John D. Bassett High School
Bassett High School
Bassett High School is a comprehensive public high school in Bassett, Virginia, USA. The school currently enrolls about 1,300 students in grades 9-12...
in 1974. He then attended Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, where he earned a business degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1977. In 1980, Armstrong received a JD
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...
degree from the University of Richmond School of Law
University of Richmond School of Law
The University of Richmond School of Law , a school of the University of Richmond, is located in Richmond, Virginia...
.
During law school, he studied for a summer at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. After law school, he worked as a law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
to Justice W. Carrington Thompson
William Carrington Thompson
William Carrington Thompson , known as W. Carrington Thompson, was an American jurist and politician....
of the Supreme Court of Virginia
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
for one year. He has practiced law in Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
since 1981.
House of Delegates
He represents the 10th House district, and serves on the Courts of Justice, Rules, and Finance committees. On February 24, 2007, Armstrong was elected Minority Leader of the Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates. As Minority Leader, he has organized the "51 Club" to assist candidates in an effort to establish a Democratic majority in the House of Delegates.As of early 2008, Armstrong said he would oppose closing an exemption for one-on-one gun sales between individuals from instant background checks (the so-called "gun show loophole"), even though he usually plays a key role in rallying Democratic support for Governor
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
's agenda, saying "My constituents pretty much expect me to oppose it," he said. "Carroll County
Carroll County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,245 people, 12,186 households, and 8,786 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile . There were 14,680 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
is my district, and it¹s home to one of the largest gun shows on the East Coast." Armstrong, with two young daughters of his own, said he is filled with sympathy for the Virginia Tech Massacre
Virginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
victims but that it won't sway his opposition to closing the loophole. "As legislators, we have to be dispassionate when it comes to the law."
The Virginia Fifth Congressional District
Virginia's 5th congressional district
Virginia's fifth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all or part of Greene, Campbell, Bedford, Albermarle, Nelson, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Cumberland, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Franklin, Henry,...
Democratic Committee awarded Armstrong the A. L. Philpott
A. L. Philpott
Albert Lee 'A. L.' Philpott was an American politician of the Democratic Party. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates for 33 years starting in 1958, and was its Speaker from 1980 until his death....
Award for Leadership. He is past president of the Martinsville-Henry County Bar Association; a member of the Virginia Museum of Transportation
Virginia Museum of Transportation
The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a museum devoted to the topic of transportation located in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A..- History :...
's Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
; and a member of the Norfolk and Western Historical Society. He has served on the Board of Deacons
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church].
Armstrong was defeated on November 8, 2011 while running for re-election in the House of Delegates 9th District. Armstrong was placed in the 16th District during the required redistricting after the 2010 census. The 16th district seat was held by Republican incumbent Donald Merricks. Armstrong chose to relocate and challenge Republican incumbent Charles Poindexter in the 9th House district. He left his home and moved into his mother-in-law's house in the town of Bassett. Poindexter defeated Armstrong with 53% to 47% of the vote. During his 2011 campaign Armstrong raised and spent more than $1,000,000.
Personal life
Mr. Armstrong and his wife, Pamela Akers, have two daughters: Courtney Lynn and Whitney Akers.External links
- Ward Armstrong official campaign website
- Virginia House of Delegates - Ward L. Armstrong official VA website