Virginia House Democrats

 Howell Still Hasn't Answered Hamilton's Main Argument for Re-Election

Recent campaign finance filings show that House Republican leaders continued to funnel money to Del. Phil Hamilton's campaign even as the Newport News lawmaker became embroiled in a scandal over his handling of state money. But come January, will Hamilton still be in a position to deliver on their pet projects?

With both a federal investigation and secretive House ethics inquiry underway, many of the questions about Hamilton will have to be answered another day.

But Speaker Bill Howell can answer some of them right now: If both he and Hamilton are re-elected to their current positions, will Hamilton be reappointed to his current seat on the Appropriations committee? If so, will Hamilton still serve as one of only six House budget conferees entrusted with state budget negotiations?

"Bill Howell needs to let the people of Virginia know who he wants handling their tax dollars," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong. "They can rest assured that in a House of Delegates controlled by Democrats, that won't include Phil Hamilton."

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