Among the flurry of business closing out the 2009 Virginia General Assembly session last night was the confirmation of individuals to various court judgeships. For instance, SR 38 nominated 5 individuals - Michelle J. L. Atkins (Norfolk), Deborah S. Roe (Hampton), R. Michael McKenney (Northumberland), H. David O'Donnell (Rockingham), Michael J. Bush (Russell) - to juvenile and domestic relations district court judgeships. That last name jumped out at me, as my fellow blogger and good friend Brian Patton has been the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Russell County since the summer of 2007. With Michael Bush moving up to the Twenty-ninth Judicial District for a term of six years commencing April 1, 2009, it looks like Brian Patton will be getting an interim promotion (pending a special election) to Commonwealth Attorney. Congratulations to Brian; we'll be following this one closely and definitely supporting his candidacy!By the way, Russell County has a Democratic lean to it, going for Jim Webb 51%-49% in 2006 and with a county board that has 6 Democrats out of 6 supervisors (Danny Brown, Chairman Mike Puckett, Vice Chairman Shy Kennedy, Bob Keene, Billy Wayne Wampler, Jon Bowerbank). Other elected Democrats in Russell County include Sheriff Steve Dye, Treasurer Helen Baker, Clerk Ann McReynolds, Commissioner Randy Williams, and Commonwealth's Attorney (soon to be "Judge") Michael Bush. Finally, Russell County is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by a Democrat (Rich Boucher), in the Virginia State Senate by a Democrat (Phil Puckett), and in the Virginia House of Delegates by two Democrats (Bud Phillips, Dan Bowling).
Given Brian Patton's excellent qualifications and high moral character, I'd certainly expect that he will continue the streak of Democratic success in Russell County. However, you can never take anything for granted in elections, so we'll be watching this one closely and - when the time comes - reminding people to support Brian for Commonwealth Attorney. Meanwhile, once again, congratulations to Michael Bush...and to Brian Patton!