Three of a Kind: Our GA Caucus is Well Led and Brings Home the Bacon from Richmond
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L to R: Louise Lucas, Cliff Hayes,
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Anne Ferrell Tata and I share something of a bond.
She is the daughter-in-law of the late Bob Tata, who was my delegate from the Kempsville area of VA Beach for three decades (1984-2014). Bob, called affectionately “Coach” because of his long career at Norview High in Norfolk where his football teams won 101 games over twelve seasons, was, like me, a Wahoo (who helped my then 13-year-old daughter, a future UVA’er, become a page). Admired by all, his son Bob, Jr., a Naval Academy and UVA law school alum, married Anne Ferrell with whom they have four children. Since January 2022, she’s been the GOP delegate from the northeastern portion of Virginia Beach (99th District).
Maybe more importantly for our region, she is the vice-chair of the Hampton Roads legislative caucus along with the chair Cliff Hayes (D-Chesapeake, 91st
District), both chosen for that responsibility by Sen. Louise Lucas (D-18th District). She’s the most senior member of the body (33 sessions and counting), as well as its President Pro Tempore and chair of its powerful Finance Committee.
“I picked Anne Ferrell,” says Louise, “because she’s smart, friendly, an outstanding representative and provides diversity.” Lucas could have chosen a more senior legislator or even a Democrat to work with Hayes, in the House since 2016, previously a member of Chesapeake City Council and in his day job, a tech guru (CIO of the City of Portsmouth).
The caucus includes Senators and Delegates from the 17 localities that make up the Hampton Roads MSA (about 30 members total). Anne Ferrell wasn’t looking to lead it when Sen. Lucas called, but she had prepared for the opportunity. “I was urged to get to know the people on the other side,” says the Florida State grad (Media Studies). “At first, I was a bit hesitant to approach Senator Lucas, but I was told, ‘don’t be afraid of her. Go talk to her.’ And I must admit, she’s been an effective leader for our region.”
It helps that Tata has moved up fast in the House with a seat on the pivotal appropriations Committee, along with Hayes, an NSU grad as is Lucas. “Yes, there are issues where Democrats and Republicans are not on the same page,” says Cliff, “and sometimes make very pointed speeches against the other side.” Both he and Anne Ferrell admit a lot of that is “theater,” to satisfy party stalwarts back home. To show how honored she is to be co-chair, Tata was happy to drive the furthest for our lunch at the popular “Pancakes and Things” on Indian River Road in Chesapeake, a Cliff Hayes’ hangout. “This place is great,” said Tata when owner Alex Angelos brought us a heaping Greek Salad.
When the caucus convenes, every Thursday at 7:30am during the GA sessions and occasionally other times of the year, all three say the red and blue hats come off. “When we meet, it’s all about the region,” says Senator Lucas. And the results have been striking. Among them have been the regional fiber ring, offshore wind development, military infrastructure, first responder support and transportation funding (like for the expanding HRBT). “It really helped the feds understand our needs better when we started speaking as one voice and prioritizing projects,” says Lucas, a one-time shipyard pipe fitter who in 1984 became the first African American woman to serve on Portsmouth City Council.
What’s ahead? “We’re all concerned about the impact the Trump budget cuts are having on federal employees, mostly in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads,” says Hayes. “We have two committees holding hearings across the state, and our caucus is very involved.”
When its members gather, it’s a must attend for “lobbyists” but also mayors and agency heads. Previous agendas reveal outside presentations about housing, workforce development, aerospace, economic development, energy, higher education, transit and more. “We are well educated,” says Senator Lucas. And the rest of the state, with whom Hampton Roads competes, envies our unity, asserts this trio. “We are developing great relationships across party lines, and it’s paying off for our region,” says Anne Ferrell Tata. The “Coach” would be proud.