The Virginian-Pilot
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State Sen. Ken Stolle said Wednesday that he might run for Virginia Beach sheriff if incumbent Paul Lanteigne does not seek re-election this year.
Lanteigne, an ally of Stolle's, did not return phone calls to discuss his political plans. His spokeswoman, Del. Paula Miller of Norfolk, said she communicated a reporter's message about Stolle's comments to Lanteigne and does not know whether he will seek another term.
Stolle said "some people" have encouraged him to run for sheriff. He declined to offer more details but said he might be able to offer more information Friday. Asked whether he would oppose Lanteigne, a fellow Republican, Stolle said, "Paul is a very good friend. I wouldn't run against him."
Stolle, 54, said he also has been urged to run for Congress next year against Democrat Glenn Nye, the newly elected 2nd District incumbent.
"Just because some people have asked me to look at running for another office doesn't mean I'm going to do it," Stolle said in a telephone interview. "I'm in no hurry to leave the state Senate, either. I think this year I had my most effective year yet as a senator."
Stolle has a background in law enforcement. He served as a Virginia Beach policeman from 1976 to 1987 and rose to sergeant on the SWAT team. He completed the Virginia Law Reader Program and has been an attorney for more than two decades.
Since entering the Senate in 1992, Stolle has carved a niche in public safety. He has been chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and the State Crime Commission.
Lanteigne, 55, is a 20-year veteran of the Virginia Beach Police Department. He was appointed sheriff in 2000 to fill the unexpired term of Frank Drew, who retired, and Lanteigne has been elected to the post twice. He oversees a 548-member department that runs the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, which houses about 1,300 inmates.
Lanteigne also has served stints on the Virginia Beach City Council, School Board and the state Lottery Board. He ran unsuccessfully for the House of Delegates last fall, losing a Republican canvass to Del. Barry Knight.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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Unfortunate Choice
I would hate to see Senator Stolle leave Richmond. He is one of the few voices of sanity there.
Likewise, I would hate to see Sheriff Lanteigne leave as he has done a remarkable job with little help from the state. I remember reading somewhere that he gets something like $12 per day to house state prisoners and the actual cost is around $50 per day. I do know from a civic league meeting that the city augments his deputy salaries because the state keeps them at the poverty level.
But it sounds like both of these guys want to move on, so best of luck to them both.
Please run
I will definitely vote for you to get you out of your senate seat and allow someone who actually has half a brain take your seat.
Hope he does run
because that would get him out of the legislature. He and McDonnell championed that unconstitutional road bill that cost the commonweath and dearly. Both are lawyers who don't know the definition of unconstitutional.
House Seat
I hope he runs against Mr Nye. He'll be easy to beat after all of this spending he just voted for. Mr Nye is now the proud owner of the largest debt in U.S. history. He can't blame anyone or any past administration for his spending spree on trains to Vegas, mouse havens, and thousands of earmark programs. Is that the change we were supposed to believe in? I wish you great luck Mr Stolle and truly do hope you run for Congress.