West Point and King William County have been represented in the Virginia State Senate for more than a decade by District 3 Sen. Tommy Norment, who is retiring after his current term.
Statewide General Assembly redistricting means that West Point, King William and 11 other jurisdictions on the Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck and in the Piedmont region are now part of Senate District 25, where an incumbent Republican senator and Democratic challenger hope to represent the reconfigured district.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sen. Richard Stuart of King George has held a seat in Virginia’s Senate since 2008. Stuart was elected after serving as the commonwealth’s attorney for Westmoreland County.
Stuart said the new Senate District 25 skews more rural than his previous district — a turn of events that he said makes him an ideal representative. “I come from rural Virginia,” Stuart said. “I was born and raised in rural Virginia.”
While Stuart has not yet developed legislation that he will introduce in next year’s General Assembly session should he win another term, he said that he will continue to go to bat for several priorities, among them protection of agricultural communities, backing law enforcement and supporting education.
Stuart said his rural background and legislative experience gives him special insight into the needs of his neighbors. “I believe that I can represent them very effectively,” he said. “I’m going to be a strong conservative voice for the region.”
Challenger Jolicia Ward, also a resident of King George, said her political ambition stems from community advocacy, working on behalf of families that needed help navigating difficult circumstances, such as a mother whose 19-year-old son was shot by police.
Ward said she feels like she can be more impactful sponsoring legislation and bridging gaps across political divides to accomplish goals rather than just working from the sidelines.
While she was unsuccessful in a 2021 bid to be the Democratic nominee for House District 99, Ward said that being on the campaign trail has reinforced her will to fight for Senate District 25’s constituents. “I’ve been knocking on doors for three years straight. The issues haven’t changed,” she said.
Ward said she’s focused on three priorities. The first is infrastructure, aiming to expedite critical projects, among them replacing the Robert O. Norris Bridge across the Rappahannock River.
She also said she wants to make health care more accessible and protect reproductive rights – issues that are especially important to her as a mother and a professional healthcare worker.
Finally, Ward wants to tamp down the theatrics in education. “We need to focus on what’s best for our children, not political and culture wars,” she said.
Ward said she’s eschewing corporate contributions, running what she calls a grassroots campaign. “I don’t think this is an easy route to take,” she said. “But this ensures that my platform is everything that these communities have been asking me for.”
Sen. Richard Stuart, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 59
Residence: King George
Family: Wife Lisa; two daughters; one son
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: State senator since 2008; commonwealth’s attorney in Westmoreland County, 2004-2005
Education: Bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Wesleyan University; juris doctor, University of Richmond
Website: www.stuartforsenate.com
Jolicia Ward, Democrat
Age: 35
Residence: King George
Family: Partner Adrian Ward; one daughter; one son
Occupation: Health care administration
Political experience: Candidate for House District 99 Democratic nomination
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mass communications, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise; master’s degree in entrepreneurial management, Stratford University
Website: www.joliciaforva.org
Ben Swenson, [email protected]
