| Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 31st district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1996 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | May 26, 1940 Watseka, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Thomas |
| Residence | Arlington County, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Rice University American University George Washington University |
| Profession | Educator |
| Committees | Rules (chair); Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; Education and Health; Finance; Privileges and Elections |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Website | whippleforsenate.com |
Mary Margaret Whipple (born May 26, 1940, in Watseka, Illinois) is a Democratic member of the Senate of Virginia, representing the 31st District since 1996. She is the Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and she is the first woman to hold a leadership position in the Virginia General Assembly.[1] On February 25, 2011, Whipple announced that she will not be seeking relection.[2] Whipple also serves as a member of the Eighth District Democratic Committee and the State Democratic Committee[3]
Perhaps Whipple's most notable achievement in the 2007 legislative session was inserting renewable energy portfolio requirements in legislation applicable to Virginia electric utilities. Her committee assignments in the 2010-11 legislative sessions were: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; Education and Health; Finance; Privileges and Elections; and Rules.[4] Whipple believes Virginia's tax system is "grossly regressive" and has sponsored bills to change it. Her bills would share state income tax revenues with localities and would increase the cigarette tax to 60 cents per pack. In 2001-02, Whipple served on the Commission on the Structure of Virginia's State and Local Tax System and Service Responsibilities.[5]
Whipple was raised in College Station, Texas and attended Rice University. She holds a B.A. in English from American University and an M.A. in American Studies from George Washington University.[1] She was appointed to the Arlington School Board in 1976 and served as Chair in 1978-79. Whipple was elected to the Arlington County Board in 1983-95, and was Chair in 1986. While on the County Board, she served as the Arlington representative to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ("Metro") Board in 1985 and in 1988-1995, serving as chair in 1990.
Among the possible successors in the 31st Senate District are: Delegates Patrick Hope and Robert Brink, former Lieutenant Governor candidate Mike Signer, County Board member Barbara Favola.[2] , and lawyer Jaime Areizaga.
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| Senate of Virginia | ||
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| Preceded by Edward M. Holland |
Virginia Senate, District 31 1996–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |