Loss of Institutional Knowledge

When the General Assembly convenes in January, the number of legislators with less than five years of service will be at its highest point in the past 16 years. Retirements and election defeats of senior members will leave both bodies with fewer experienced legislators than they have had in recent years. Both the Senate and House of Delegates faced record turnover this cycle, caused by newly drawn districts that did not consider incumbents’ addresses, pairing many legislators together and forcing them to retire, move, or run against their colleagues in primaries or general elections.

State Senate

Members' Years in the General Assembly

House of Delegates

Members' Years in the General Assembly