Senator Bill Stanley On Lobby Day Discussing Dogs and Cats, Interstate 73, Economic Development for Southside Virginia, and Stories About Me

I want to begin my article by telling you a story about a young College Republican in Franklin County, Virginia. He had an opportunity to intern for a young upstart senator from Franklin County who had been redistricted so that the young CR’s home and college were very close to his district. The young CR took that chance and had the time of his life. He and the young senator bought boots, walked in parades, knocked doors, made phone calls, went to events in the hundred degree heat, and went to events in the pouring down rain. Most of all, they had fun. In the end, the young senator wound up winning his district by 644 votes. The young CR started a career in politics.

That young College Republican was me. The young senator was Bill Stanley of Franklin County, Virginia. The picture you see above is circa 2011.

This picture is from 2017, almost 6 years later. In some ways, we have changed. I’ve gotten married, moved to Roanoke, and changed careers. Senator Stanley got married, became a leader in the Virginia Senate, has three kids, with a fourth “kid” who is almost 40 years old (the infamous former George Allen advisor Richard Crouse).

However, in some ways, we are still the exact same. I still call him Mr. Senator (he says I called him Mr. Senator Boss-Man, which I categorically deny). He still calls me Sasquatch on a regular basis. We still laugh and cut up like we are on the campaign trail. He’s still that old country lawyer I met so many years ago.

Anyway, before I wax poetically too much, I got a chance to sit down with my former boss and discuss his animal rights legislation, his ideas on economic development, why he didn’t run for Congress, and why he’s not running for Attorney General (right now).  We also tell old stories about each other (some of the ones about me are quite embarrassing).

I hope you enjoy my interview with Senator Stanley.

Previous interviews:

– Delegate and 2017 Lt. Governor Candidate Glenn Davis
– Delegate Jason Miyares
– Delegate Chris Head
– Senator and 2017 Lt. Governor Candidate Bryce Reeves
– Delegate Ben Cline