Virginia Beach Del. Terrie Suit will resign to become lobbyist

Paul Lanteigne is a great choice. He has experience as a crime fighter(former cop), is the current sheriff, former city council member and a Republican/Independent. Barry Knight seems like a nice guy except he is on the Planning Commission and I’m sick of the sprawl development that is eating up our community. Honestly has the Planning Commission rejected a plan put before them?

Lanteigne seems to be the clear choice. I guess before I pick one of these folks, I’ll have to look at Knight’s record on with planning and developers. I’m still going to miss Terrie in Richmond…

I agree w/ vbfire359. The sherriff does an excellent job. He should be a great repalcement.

I should note that I am not sure of his party. It's been a few years since I left the beach. Honestly, he really changed the sherriffs department and the jail. Plus he has worked his way up. He deserves it.

Paul is the right person for the job, Barry Knight should step out of the picture.

I think the closest thing to getting a D out of this district is Paul Lanteigne as an Independent. The only question is if the GOP and Suit will hop on board and support a moderate repub like the sheriff...

Thanks for your service,Terrie... But bring on Paul Lanteigne! He isn't afraid to be an INDEPENDENT thinker!!How refreshing is that? We need someone in Richmond who will reach across the aisles and do what is right for the people of this great Commonwealth. He should have had Drake's spot years ago but the Repubs messed up on that one...The downside here is that Va Beach would lose him as the Sheriff...but at least then all of VIRGINIA can benefit from his common sense approach! I sure hope he is SERIOUSLY considering this...He has my vote, Republican, Democrat, or Independent.

Thank God, Paul Lanteigne is considering running! Virginia Beach really needs someone like him up in Richmond. You know all the talk about McCain being a "maverick?" Virginia Beach has had one, too, and for a long time. This guy looks out for his staff at the jail (consistently fighting for higher salaries and increasing morale), fights for the taxpayer (called out Gov Kaine for 'selling' jail beds to another state, while we in VB have to pay for it), and stands up to those on both sides of the aisle when something isn't right. Terrie, thanks for your service...but I know I'm ready for some fresh air...

To become a lobbyist ???? I can understand if you want to spend more time with your husband but, to become a LOBBYIST ???? Terrie you are better than that. I guess the pay is better. GO FIGURE !!!

Beau

This opens the way for a Democrat to take her place.

Of the two candidates mentioned in the article Paul Lanteign would be the better choice. He has a strong record of public service, with an emphasis on keeping the citizens safe. In his position he has worked with the General Assembly and has a track record of getting things done. He should be the recommended replacement.

Please give me some relief here. You liberals tell me one day you support a woman's right to choose and the next thing you know you all are on here bashing Terrie Suit for choosing to resign. Which way do you want it? Of course though if you made any sense you wouldn't be liberals. PS: Can't wait to see your smiling faces when Obama gets his walking papers back to Chicago. Cheers.

Thank you for your service and good luck to you!

Let's see, so see worked for the mortgage industry right. You mean the group that sold out America! Now that her pockets are lined in silver coins, I guess it is time to leave town. Now she is going to be a lobbyist . You know those guys.The big boy crowd that goes to Washington to pay off politicians. Sounds like the perfect job. Another Jack Abramnolf,but in skirts. Don't worry Ms. Suit your name will not be forgotten. as we will be cleaning up you mess for a long time to come.

I think everyone has to come to terms that Richmod is every bit as corrupt as Washington. This strikes me as a Tom Delay type move on her part.

"Way to go Uncle Leo, sticking it to the man"

Although Terry was not my representative, I did have the opportunity to meet and debate her in the course of my job duties. She struck me as very intelligent and principaled, believing in her possition, but willing to listen to and respect opposing views. And I still believe that. However, as those of us that follow politics, we are aware of the fact that most lobbyists wind-up emitting a very foul stench. I hope that does not happen in this case.

I always liked her and her door was always open to public safety and military folks. Thank you Terrie it has been a great eight year run.

You will be missed.

from a Republican than to "cut and run". They used the phrase against Democrats and yet lived out the phrase themselves. I must not have known the secret handshake as she never returned a call, email, or letter that I wrote to her. Plus, when she first came around politicking the neighborhoods, she lied to me in my own front yard. You don't suppose she timed this with the Republican that wants her job? Hmmmmm, she is right on track to be VP some day?

So Terrie gets a high-paid job as a lobbyist and the district may get an elected official that actually wants to pass legislation that matters to every day people and not just special interests. Isn't Williams Mullen the payday lending lobby firm?

She represented me as well. In fact, once after she was elected(I didn't vote for her) I contacted her and she replied. She was very open and inviting by taking the time to answer my questions the best she could. She put me on her mailing list and I read closer everytime I received them. We didn't share the same ideas at times but who does? The real question is why she did not do it sooner? Would you want to represent this:

"...couldn't even finish the job you were elected to do!!! Have fun jumping into someone pocket>>>hey...you look alot like Palin!!!amazing!!!"

Good luck Mrs. Suit. I appreciate the time you offered to us.

and i hope not many democrats will be re elected,as seeing they lie and cheat just as well if not better than the gop's

She knows she would not be-relected so she's cutting her losses early. Not many Republicans will be re-elected come election time.

My hat is off to anyone that realizes that an elected post is NOT A LIFE TIME POSITION even if the public wants to re-elect.

Terrie, you did your best and helped both the military and small business. You also helped mentor High School aged kids with a great leadership program sponsorship, and were graceful and kind. I also know how proud you are to be an American. You will do well with whatever you choose!

All politics aside, many of the remarks here are unfair and uninformed. It's not reasonable to demand that our state legislature consist of part-time, poorly paid representatives and then demand that if they quit or are voted out of office, they can't accept jobs related related to the legislature. If we had full-time, highly paid representatives, as in Congress and certain other states, my opinion would be different. Also, the perception that there is some sort of revolving door from the General Assembly to the lobbying ranks is incorrect as there are only a handful of former legislators who lobby the General Assembly, as far as I know.

Terrie was my Delegate in Richmond. I was pleased to have the opportunity to work with her to try to improve our state, regional, and local governments (Yes, we have a regional government, just not "officially"). While Terrie and I disagreed on the 6 MPO projects Mike Barrett and his pals keep trying to cram down our throats; Del. Suit was always accessable, willing to meet, and willing to listen, and willing to explain her reasons for supporting or opposing bills and projects. All good characterists for any public servant. I wish her well in her new job. Agree or disagree with her positions, I appreciate that she did work hard to represent the interests of the 81st District.

I can't believe people are angry that Terrie only served 8 years in office. Some of these same critics also favor term limits. Terrie served citizens ably and honorably and now is returning to the private sector. That should be applauded. A citizen legislature needs frequent baton-passing, and kudos to Terrie for both her past service and for the next chapter in her life.

From the comments herein, this is a tough crowd. I prefer to think that Terrie was an outstanding young politician locked into a party structure that has so poorly governed that she had enough and found a way to leave on positive terms. I wished she had stood up to her party bosses and advocated for that which she really believed. I can't think she truly wanted our road system to fall into disrepair and disrepute, I don't think she really wanted patrons in restaurants to be forced to inhale second hand smoke, I can't believe she really opposed a districting plan that worked for citizens instead of party interests. However, in Richmond today, if you are a republican, you don't advocate for the citizens in your district unless that advocacy is approved by the speaker, Mr. Bill Howell. Perhaps to her credit, she just got tired of serving his interests instead of ours.

She needs to slightly modify her previous campaign promise to "not be a career PUBLIC politician". A lobbyist can be interpreted as a private politician whose pay and budget are privileged.

How kind to keep the promise of not becoming a career politician.

Thanks also for the cost of a special election.

I have no problem with bashing pork-barrel politicians who cater to big-spending lobbyists rather than their constituency.

Thanks..I forgot you have to fit "big" in there to truly fill out a political cliche.

I wish Thelma "Bush" Drake would do the same.