Ken Stolle picks up huge support for Virginia Beach Sheriff

Posted by MAXIMUS

VIRGINIA BEACH – Public safety leaders from around the Commonwealth endorsed Senator Ken Stolle’s candidacy for Virginia Beach Sheriff today. Many of them appeared with Stolle at a news conference held on the City Hall steps in Virginia Beach. The Stolle for Sheriff campaign also announced endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Firefighters, heads of statewide law enforcement organizations and the entire Virginia Beach City Council.

Stolle is a leading advocate for public safety at the state and local levels. As the only current member of the Senate who was a police officer, Ken knows first-hand the needs of first responders and other public safety officials. He has championed stricter penalties for gang activity, the abolition of parole and enhanced penalties for DUI offenders.

Here’s what some of our state leaders have to say about Ken:

Bob McDonnell, former Attorney General & Republican Gubernatorial nominee, said that Ken Stolle’s public safety record is unparalleled: “Ken Stolle is an extremely effective legislator and the leading public safety expert in the Virginia General Assembly.”

Former Governor and current U.S. Senator Mark Warner added, “Ken Stolle has been a leader in the state legislature on law enforcement matters, and he has worked his entire career to support, fund and properly equip our public safety professionals.”

Stolle’s bipartisan appeal is equally strong locally. Current Virginia Beach Sheriff Paul Lanteigne and former Sheriff Frank Drew, a Republican and a Democrat respectively, said, “Ken Stolle is the most qualified candidate to be our next Sheriff.”

Lanteigne added, “Ken has spent his entire career improving the safety and security of the citizens of Virginia Beach. His experience and expertise make him uniquely suited to be Sheriff.” Lanteigne is joined by Dennis Free and Marc Schuster, his two Chief Deputies, in supporting Stolle.

As chairman of the Crime Commission, Stolle sponsored new legislation to strengthen Virginia’s laws that crack down on sex offenders. These initiatives have improved Virginia’s Sex Offender Registry and begun GPS tracking of known sex offenders, allowing police to monitor their whereabouts 24 hours a day.

Doug Zebley, President of the Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8, commenting on Stolle’s record said, “There is no debate in the public safety community over who should be our next Sheriff. No one has worked harder than Ken Stolle to make sure we have the resources to keep our City safe.” Recently the Virginia Beach FOP Lodge unanimously endorsed Ken Stolle’s bid for Sheriff.

FOP member and Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant added, “Ken has helped prosecutors keep our communities safe while putting criminals behind bars and preserving the legitimacy of the judicial system.”

Stolle led the charge for increased retirement benefits for state and local police officers, deputy sheriffs and firefighters. He is committed to ensure that these individuals who risk their lives everyday for the safety of others are afforded better pay and enhanced benefits. Furthermore, Ken has supported improvements to the Line of Duty Act in order to make certain the children and spouses of fallen or disabled public safety officers are appropriately cared for.

“Ken Stolle has built consensus on issues that normally would be left unsolved in the General Assembly,” said Ken Pravetz, President of the Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters Local 2924. “His diligence and compassion have provided firefighters the resources to help save lives.” Stolle recently received the unanimous endorsement of the Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters.

For his long-term commitment to law enforcement, Ken was recognized by the Sheriffs’ Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Chiefs of Police and State Police Association with their highest awards. This is the first time in known record that a legislator has been honored by these major law enforcement organizations in the same year.

“Ken Stolle knows better than anyone in the General Assembly exactly what resources Sheriffs’ offices need to protect the public,” said Martinsville Sheriff Steve Draper, who currently serves as President of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association. [Note: The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association does not endorse political candidates.] “This year Ken personally saved nearly 700 deputies statewide from being laid off because of state budget cuts.” Stolle has twice received the Association’s “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” award.

“Ken Stolle is the most influential law enforcement figure in the Commonwealth,” said Tommy Edwards, President of the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. Stolle is a lifetime member of the FOP and has received its “Senator of the Year” award an unprecedented three times.

“Ken Stolle is a proven leader who has spent his career working to make Virginia a safer place to live,” said Dana Schrad, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. [Note: the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police does not endorse political candidates.] Stolle received the Association’s “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” award in 2006.

“In tough budget times Ken Stolle stood up for the men and women of law enforcement to ensure that we had the resources to protect communities all across Virginia,” said Ken Bumgarner, President of the Virginia State Police Association. [Note: the Virginia State Police Association does not endorse political candidates.]

Bumgarner is joined by former Superintendent of the State Police Wayne Huggins in supporting Stolle, who has received the Association’s “Senator of the Year” award on two previous occasions.

As one of six children in a Navy family, Stolle grew up in and out of the Hampton Roads area. In 1971 the Stolle family permanently settled in Virginia Beach, where Ken graduated from Cox High School.
Prior to being elected to the Senate in 1991, Ken was a partner with the Virginia Beach law firm of Bennett & Stolle, P.C. He served on the Virginia Beach Police Department from 1976 until 1987. He also served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Naval Reserve.

Also joining Stolle at the press conference was Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms. “Ken Stolle is the strongest advocate in the General Assembly for Virginia Beach,” said Sessoms, who is joined by the entire City Council in supporting Stolle.

Sessoms added, “Every Virginia Beach citizen has benefited from Ken’s leadership in the General Assembly. While he will be missed in the General Assembly, I am excited about having him as our next Sheriff.”

“As a practicing attorney, a former Virginia Beach police officer and Naval Reserve Intelligence officer, a father of three and a resident of this great city for over 30 years, I am proud of the perspective I have brought to the Virginia General Assembly since first elected in 1991,” said Stolle.

I am humbled by the support and encouragement that I have received from so many public safety officials at home and across the Commonwealth,” said Stolle, who currently serves in the Virginia General Assembly as the Republican Leader Pro Tempore and represents the 8th Senatorial District, located in the eastern half of Virginia Beach.

Stolle added, “Over the course of my service in the Senate, I have put policy ahead of politics and the interests of Virginia Beach ahead of my party. If elected as our next Sheriff, I will continue to be an independent voice and keep an open-door policy.”

Away from the General Assembly, Ken enjoys hunting and proudly serves on the Hunters for the Hungry Advisory Committee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality high protein, low-fat venison to food banks and other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations feeding Virginia's needy.

He and his wife Debbie have three children: Whitney, Kenny and Ross. Ken is currently of counsel with the law firm of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. in their Virginia Beach office.

Individuals and Organizations Endorsing Senator Ken Stolle for Sheriff:

Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office endorsements:
Frank Drew, former Virginia Beach Sheriff
Dennis Free, Chief Deputy, Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
Paul Lanteigne, Virginia Beach Sheriff
Marc Schuster, Chief Deputy, Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office

Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8
Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8 endorsement
Doug Zebley, President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8
Dave Hewes, former President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8
Garth Wheeler, former President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8
Al Byrum, former President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8
Howie Carr, former President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8

Virginia Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge
Tommy Edwards, President, Virginia Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge
Garth Wheeler, former President, Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police State
Gerald Bright, former President, Virginia Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge
Tommy Stiles, former President, Virginia Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge
Kevin Carroll, Sergeant At Arms, Virginia Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge
Don Cahill, former National Legislative Committee Chairman, Fraternal Order of Police Grand Lodge

Statewide Law Enforcement Officials endorsements
Sheriff Steve Draper, President, Virginia Sheriffs’ Association*
Dana Schrad, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police*
Beth Simonds, President, Virginia Campus Law Enforcement Administrators’ Association*
Ken Bumgarner, President, Virginia State Police Association*
Wayne Huggins, former Superintendent of the State Police
*The individual has offered his/her personal endorsement and does not represent the organization on which he/she serves

Virginia Professional Firefighters endorsements
Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 2924 endorsement
Ken Pravetz, President, Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters

Virginia Beach City Council endorsements:
Councilmember Glenn Davis
Councilmember Bill DeSteph
Councilmember Harry Diezel
Councilmember Bob Dyer
Councilmember Barbara Henley
Councilmember Louis Jones
Mayor Will Sessoms
Councilmember John Uhrin
Councilmember Ron Villaneuva
Councilmember Rosemary Wilson
Councilmember Jim Wood

Virginia Beach Constitutional Officer endorsements:
Treasurer John Atkinson
Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant
Sheriff Paul Lanteigne
Clerk of the Court Tina Sinnen

General Assembly endorsements:
Senator Harry Blevins
Delegate Sal Iaquinto
Delegate Barry Knight
Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment
Senator Ralph Northam
Delegate Bob Purkey
Senator Fred Quayle
Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw
Delegate Bob Tata
Senator Frank Wagner