The Winchester Star
WINCHESTER — State Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel and her husband, Alex, welcomed a baby girl into their family on Wednesday morning.
While public officials having children is not that rare, Vogel’s baby is putting her in the legislative record books.
“A few years ago, she was the only senator in the commonwealth to have a baby while in office,” Vogel’s legislative assistant, Tricia Stiles, said from the senator’s Winchester office. “Now she holds the title of being the only [state] senator, ever, to have two babies while in office.”
The Upperville resident, who represents the 27th District — in cluding Winchester and Frederick and Clarke counties — gave birth to 7- pound Olivia Marguerite Holtzman Vogel at Warrenton’s Fauquier Hospital at 8:51 a.m.
Vogel, who had her baby via cesarean section, was in good spirits that afternoon.
“ I’m doing well,” Vogel said from her hospital room. “So far, not in a lot of pain. It’s been a pretty exciting day. Have had a bunch of friends and family around and I now have lots of pink baby clothes.”
Pink is key.
Vogel, who has three sons with her husband, was hoping for a girl. She named the baby Olivia after her cousin and chose Marguerite after her great aunt.
Vogel, 41, is in her second term in office. In her re-election bid in November, the Republican walloped Democratic opponent Shaun Broy with 24,494 votes (75 percent) to his 7,596 (23 percent).
Vogel, who is also a parttime attorney, is on committees for Finance, Courts of Justice, General Laws and Technology, Privileges and Elections, and Rehabilitation and Social Services.
The General Assembly is not currently in session.
“ I got really lucky, it worked out perfectly that we’re in recess until May 14,” Vogel said. ”It was a nice reprieve. Everyone thought I was going to go into labor during session and I did have a little scare a few weeks ago, but was fine.” But she won’t be on maternity leave long.
“When we get back in session we’ll be appointing some judges,” she said, referring to 26th Circuit nominee Clay Athey, who would serve locally.
Baby Olivia joins brothers Will, 8; John “ Jack, ” 6; and Thomas “Taz,” 3, and Vogel’s stepchildren Peyton, 13, and Alex, 11.
—Contact Sarah L. Greenhalgh at sgreenhalgh@winchesterstar.com
Contact: Jeff Ryer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 757.713.5333 18 April 2012
Senate Republicans Hail Passage of Budget
Richmond, Va, 17 April 2012: The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus expressed satisfaction over today’s passage of House Bills 1300 and 1301, fulfilling the General Assembly’s obligation to approve a budget. House Bill 1301 was approved by a 21-to-19 vote, with Senator Charles J. Colgan (D-Manassas) joining the entire Senate Republican Caucus in voting “aye”.
“After two months of obstructionism punctuated by one last ditch attempt by the leaders of the Senate Democratic Caucus to derail the budget process, the General Assembly has fulfilled its constitutional duty to pass a budget,” declared Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R-James City). “As with the initial breakthrough on this impasse in early March, today’s result would not have happened without the statesmanship of Senator Chuck Colgan. He demonstrated again today why he is one of Virginia’s most respected leaders.
”I am also very proud of the members of our Senate Republican Caucus. Our members never lost sight of the ultimate goal, and fulfilled their responsibility today. They have distinguished themselves throughout this process, and have reaffirmed the judgment of the voters who placed us in the majority.”
“Today was a good day for the Senate and a great day for Virginians,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico) remarked. “The budget we approved provides much needed funding increases for K-12 public education and for our state-supported colleges and universities. It also provides critical funding for transportation needs across the state, our local governments, healthcare services, our state parks, and all operations of state government.
“The Senate Finance Committee and its staff worked diligently to achieve this result. I am pleased with the dedication shown by our members, our staff, and our conferees in completing our mission under very challenging circumstances. Today, partisanship yielded to statesmanship, reaffirming the ‘Virginia Way’.”
