Senator Ruff Seeks Re-Election in Senate District

“Today I am announcing that I will seek another term as your voice in the Virginia State Senate.  I have been honored to represent you in Richmond; and, if the voters are willing, I will continue to do so,” said Frank Ruff.

Ruff continued, “Working together we have accomplished much.  Virginia has been rated as one of the best states to do business for several years.  We have been rated the best state to raise a family.  These things did not happen by chance.  They happened because we have worked together for the good of Virginians.

Despite those successes, there is still much to accomplish.  As our workforce ages, we are not training enough skilled workers to attract new industry.  As I have talked with companies that require highly skilled employees, they tell me that the greatest issues for them in making decisions of where to locate are those issues around workforce.  They need well-trained employees who are committed to producing quality products.  This is why I have focused much time and effort to not only raise the skill levels in our area with my work on the Tobacco Commission but statewide working with the community college system.  The goal is to produce skilled employees in shorter time frames than has been the traditional practice.  Many of those seeking these skilled certifications cannot afford to take classes a few hours a week.  They need to be trained and return to the workforce.”

The Fifteenth Senate District is by far the largest district in the state comprised of all the counties of Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and large parts of Brunswick, Campbell, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Prince George, and a small part of the City of Danville.

“I used to describe the district as being four times the state of Rhode Island, then I started looking at maps of the United States and Rhode Island looks small.  Now I ask people do they know where Jamestown is and if they know where Martinsville is. Then I explain the district stretches from the James River across the river from Jamestown to a handful of miles from Martinsville.  This more clearly describes how big the Fifteenth District is,” said Ruff.

Ruff serves on the Senate Committees of Finance, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Local Government, and General Laws which he chairs.  In addition, Ruff serves as Chairman of the Rural Caucus of the House and Senate and on the Martin Luther King Commission.  As well, he serves as Chairman of the Small Business Commission, the Vice Chairman of the Tobacco Commission, and on the Board of the Center for Rural Virginia.

On the national level, Ruff serves on various committees of the Southern Legislative Council, the National Council of State Legislators, and the American Legislative Exchange Council.