Virginia Lawmakers React to 'Toddy' Puller's Retirement Announcement

News traveled fast after Mount Vernon-area lawmaker, state Sen. Linda “Toddy” Puller, announced this week she will be retiring from the Virginia Senate after the 2015 legislative session currently underway. She’s been working in Richmond for her constituents for more than 20 years.

(Keep up with Puller during the current legislative session on her Web site here and at Richmond Sunlight. Keep up with her on Twitter here.)

Here is some of the reaction and praise for her years of service from local lawmakers on Thursday:

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner

“Toddy Puller is a tremendous leader in Richmond and a tireless advocate for her constituents. Toddy has been a fierce advocate for our veterans and military families, and she has been a leader in efforts to address Northern Virginia transportation challenges. She also has been a trusted advisor to me, and one of my very best friends, for nearly two decades. I salute her on 23 years of public service, and thank her for making Fairfax, Prince William, and indeed the entire Commonwealth a better place to live and work.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine

“For more than 23 years, Toddy Puller has passionately served the people of Northern Virginia. Toddy’s public service career has been dedicated to uplifting all Virginians, but her primary legacy will be the incredible work she has done to support Virginia veterans. Her tireless advocacy for initiatives such as property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and Virginia’s Wounded Warriors Program will aid veterans for generations to come.

“I wish Toddy the best as she prepares to retire at the end of the year, and I join many Virginians in thanking her for more than two decades of friendship and public service to the Commonwealth.”

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th)

“For more than two decades, Sen. Toddy Puller has ably represented the interests of Northern Virginians in the General Assembly. Toddy’s experience, expertise, and commitment to our Commonwealth have served us well.
“When Toddy retires at the end of 2015, she will leave a void in the Senate Democratic caucus and the Virginia Senate as a whole. Toddy’s wealth of knowledge and her long-standing relationships with her fellow senators and delegates, and local, state, and federal officials will be hard to replace.
“Toddy knows how to make things happen in Richmond and while she will be sorely missed as a senator, I’m confident we will continue to get the benefit of her guidance in the coming years.”

Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-30th)

“I have known Toddy Puller for over 20 years and have always admired her courage, tenacity, and legislative experience. She has been a tireless fighter for veterans and all the citizens of the Commonwealth.” Said Senator Ebbin, “Her work on modernization and transportation in the Route 1 Corridor will be a lasting legacy for the people of Mt. Vernon and Prince William. She will be greatly missed in Richmond.”

Sen. George Barker (D-39th)

“Senator Toddy Puller has been an outstanding legislator for 24 years, vigorously representing much of Mount Vernon and Lee Districts in Fairfax County, eastern Prince William, and the northern part of Stafford County.

In her career, Toddy has doggedly led fights for veterans and active-duty members of the military and for transportation improvements in the Route 1 and Interstate 95 corridors. As chair of the suddenly powerful Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, she led the successful fight to block privatization of Virginia ABC stores that would have cost Virginia taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars per year. As chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care, she championed several initiatives to improve the quality of health care, control health care costs, and provide services to the most vulnerable Virginians.

Despite health issues, Toddy Puller never complains and has soldiered on to make Virginia a better place for all. We will miss her leadership, strength, character, and commitment in the Senate, but we know that she will remain available to continue working with us for all Virginians. She is a great Virginian, and it is our responsibility to build on her legacy.

The daughter of an Army officer, the daughter-in-law of famed Marine General Chesty Puller, and the widow of war hero and Pulitzer Prize winning author Lewis Puller, Jr., Toddy has been just as tough and persistent as her family of military leaders.”

Del. Scott Surovell (D-44th)

“Senator Toddy Puller has represented me as state delegate or senator since 1991 when she was the first modern Democrat to win the 44th District and I was a junior at James Madison University. I have had a “front seat” to her dedicated public service since I was a child.

Senator Puller’s career has been dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life for the U.S. 1 Corridor in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Because of her legislation, the first U.S. 1 Centerline Study was started in 1998 and the $2 million U.S. 1 Multimodal Study would not have been funded or concluded in 2014 without the seniority and wisdom she brought to the process. Tens of millions of dollars are currently being directed to enhancing transportation in Fairfax and Prince William Counties due to her three generations of leadership.” Read more on Del. Surovell’s blog here.

Del. Rob Krupicka (D-45th)

“Senator Puller has been a strong voice for Northern Virginia in the General Assembly and her work on military and veteran’s issues has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of servicemembers and their families across Virginia. Her 28 years of service are an inspiration and she will most certainly be missed next year in Richmond.”

Del. Dave Albo (R-42nd)

“When you think of how a legislator should act, Toddy is the model. She always fought for her beliefs and constituents, but always with a pleasant smile and a friendly manner. She knows that people can disagree and still be friends.”

Del. Mark Sickles (D-43rd)

“Toddy Puller is a fighter. Today’s announcement that she will retire as a Member of the Senate after her current term is bittersweet. Bitter because her absence will leave a gapping void here in Richmond; sweet because nobody has done more in one life to deserve less hectic years at home with friends and family.”

“Toddy is one of my best friends in public life. She has helped me when I needed it the most. Her internal compass always points toward more opportunity for all of Virginia’s people. Her courage, strength, and determination is an inspiration to all who know her.”