Vivian Watts
American politician (born 1940)
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Vivian Edna Watts (born June 7, 1940) is an American politician and author serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 1996. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the 7th Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety from 1986 to 1990, and in the House of Delegates again from 1982 to 1986. Watts represents the 14th district, encompassing parts of Annandale, Lincolnia, Ravensworth, and Wakefield.[1][2]
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- 39th district (1996–2024)
- 14th district (2024–present)
Vivian Watts | |
|---|---|
Watts in 2018 | |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 10, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Alan E. Mayer |
| Constituency |
|
| In office January 13, 1982 – January 14, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | George W. Grayson |
| Succeeded by | Alan E. Mayer |
| Constituency |
|
| 7th Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety | |
| In office January 14, 1986 – January 13, 1990 | |
| Governor | Gerald Baliles |
| Preceded by | Andrew B. Fogarty |
| Succeeded by | John G. Milliken (as Secretary of Transportation) Robert L. Suthard (as Secretary of Public Safety) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 7, 1940 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
David A. Watts (m. 1960) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Michigan (BA) |
| Committees | Courts of Justice; Finance; Science and Technology |
| Website | vivianwatts |
Between 2009 and 2019, Watts introduced and passed 45 pieces of legislation that became law.[3]
As of May 2020[update], Watts serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the Courts of Justice Committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee and Transportation Committee.[4]
Career
Before entering politics, Watts was the Executive Director of Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates in cases involving severe abuse and neglect of children.[5]
Watts was first elected in 1981, and left to serve as the state's Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety in 1986; she was again elected to the House in 1996 and continuously since.[3]
In 2017, Watts became the longest-serving woman ever in the Virginia House of Delegates.[6]
Legislative issues
Watts' has focused on progressive tax policies and increased funding for education and transportation.[7]
In 2019, Watts said her top three legislative priorities were to restore transportation funding, restructure and expand mental health services, and make the state's school funding formula more equitable.[8]
Awards and recognition
Watts has been awarded the Virginia Counselors Association Outstanding Legislator Award, Virginia Association of Commonwealth Attorneys “Champion of Justice” Award, League of Women Voters of Virginia Good Governance Award, and the Virginia Interfaith Center "Legislator of the Year" Award.[7]