Grading legislators is an inexact science practiced rigorously by interest groups. The latest organization to try and make a splash by rating General Assembly members is Virginia21, an “action-tank involving young people across the Commonwealth in the political process by providing information, directing advocacy and coordinating political action on a non-partisan issue agenda.” As with any group, some might quarrel with the “non-partisan” claim.
Virginia21 graded legislators on “student and higher education issues.” On the Dean’s List were such notables as Delegates Vince Callahan (R), Frank Hall (D), Joe May (R), and Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Chap Petersen. They received a score of over 4.0.
At the bottom of the list was Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania. He received a 0.7. Predictably, he challenged the “non-partisan” issue ratings: “I consider it a badge of honor, considering Virginia 21. In general, I think Virginia 21 has a very liberal bent to it. So I bet they scored very liberal General Assembly members higher than they did the conservative ones.”
Del. Viola Baskerville, also running for the Lt. Gov. nomination, received a 4.0. Del. Robert McDonnell, running for the Republican AG nomination, got a 1.7.
Senators weren’t rated, apparently because they’re not running for re-election this year.
