Newsroom Archive for 1/4, 2006

Congratulations to Bea McDougle, a graduate of the Sorensen Institute's Political Leaders Program Class of 2003, and her husband Ryan McDougle. Ryan, a 34-year old Hanover County attorney, won the 4th District Senate seat recently vacated by Lieutenant Governor-elect Bill Bolling in a special election held yesterday.

Ryan's victory frees up his 97th House of Delegates seat, for which another special election will be held by the end of the month. Christopher Peace, a graduate of Sorensen's Political Leaders Program Class of 2004, is currently running for McDougle's House seat.

Shannon Valentine, PLP 05

The Lynchburg News & Advance notes today that the campaigns for the special election for the 23rd District seat in the House of Delegates (to be held on Jan. 10) have been notably civil, with "no personal or political jabs." Republican Michael Harrington is running against Democrat Shannon Valentine, a recent graduate of Sorensen's Political Leaders Program (2005).

We at Sorensen applaud both Harrington and Valentine for their mature and sensible approach to politics. They are keeping the focus of their appeals to voters on issues as opposed to personalities. Everyone involved in politics and campaigns in Virginia would do well to note their example.

Elizabeth Fortune (PLP 97), was recently appointed to a three-year term
on the Fluvanna County Economic Development Commission. She will serve
through December 2008. Elizabeth currently works as Associate Dean of
Finance and Administration at the University of Virginia's School of
Architecture.

Virginia's Governor-elect Tim Kaine today appointed Patrick Gottschalk
(shown above), a partner at Cantor Arkema in Richmond, as Secretary of
Commerce and Trade. We are proud to say that Gottschalk is a graduate
of the Sorensen Institute's Political Leaders Program Class of 2000.
Congratulations Patrick!

Click here to read the official press release.

Click here to read Patrick's bio.