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Del. Will Wampler, R-Washington County, is not seeking reelection after serving two terms in the House of Delegates, representing the 4th District, which includes Dickenson County and parts of Russell, Washington and Wise counties. Wampler’s announcement Thursday came on the day of the filing deadline for candidates to get on the primary ballot.
“Southwest Virginia is one of the finest places someone can find themselves in, as far as the commonwealth goes. Representing this place and its people in the state legislature is a privilege unlike any other I have ever experienced in my life,” Wampler, an attorney from Abingdon, said in a statement.
“While it is difficult to wrestle with the fact that our region has a declining number of representatives that will be returning to the General Assembly next term, I am confident in the leadership we have in place and in their ability to work with other leaders across the state to address our priorities,” Wampler said.
With his last-minute decision not to run, Wampler averted an intra-party primary challenge against Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington County, the deputy House Majority Leader. Both lawmakers were drawn into the newly created 44th House District that was approved by the Virginia Supreme Court in December 2021. The district includes Washington County as well as parts of Russell County and Bristol.
A Bristol native, Wampler, 31, is the grandson of the late Rep. William Wampler and the son of former state Sen. William Wampler Jr.
Wampler was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2019, defeating Democrat Starla Kiser in the general election, and succeeding Todd Pillion, who was elected to the state Senate that year.
“I will always support the communities of Southwest Virginia, and I am looking forward to spending more time helping clients in my law practice in Abingdon, Virginia,” Wampler said in his statement.
