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By Carten Cordell | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell has set Sept. 4 for a special election to fill two seats in the General Assembly.
The elections will fill vacancies left by state Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk, and Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria.
Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria, will step down on Aug. 31.
Miller, the longest serving state senator and the first black woman to be elected to both houses of the Legislature, died of stomach cancer July 3, a day short of her 78th birthday.
Englin announced in April he would not seek another term and intends to step down Aug. 31.
“It is critically important for all citizens of Virginia to have full representation in the Virginia General Assembly,” McDonnell said in a statement. “Having these special elections on Sept. 4 will allow for the citizens of these districts to have full representation and give the new Senator and Delegate time to fully prepare for the 2013 legislative session.”
The governor’s office announced McDonnell would officially issue the writ of election July 30 to allow time for both parties to select a nominee.
Englin had served for four times in the House of Delegates; Miller served in the Senate since 1988.
