Janet Howell
Incumbent Democrat
Print Managing Editor Jeremy Beales

Janet Howell has represented her Fairfax district for 16 years and is seeking her fifth term in the State Senate. She is the first and only women to have served on the Senate Finance Committee, where she has made education, transportation, human services and public safety her top legislative priorities. In 2006 she was named the National Child Advocate of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has also been named Senator of the year by the Virginia Sheriffs Association.

Howell has authored legislation that created provisional drivers licenses for teen drivers, ensured medical insurance for diabetics, anti-stalking legislation and a law requiring the victims of crimes to be notified when the perpetrator is released from prison. In terms of education, Howell’s top priorities are “reducing class size, hiring and retaining the best and brightest teachers, and securing funding for new facilities and programs.”