By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr., one of Northern Virginia's most popular and influential leaders, said yesterday that he's retiring after nearly four decades, a decision that could greatly reduce the region's influence in Richmond.
As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Callahan (R-Fairfax) has steered tens of millions dollars to projects in Northern Virginia, including new roads, buildings at George Mason University and educational programs at the Wolf Trap performing arts center.
Callahan said yesterday that he's accomplished all he can for the region.
"The stuff I have done over the years has been unsurpassed for any Northern Virginia legislator in history," said Callahan, 75, the second-longest-serving member of the House. "I probably delivered more to my region and to the state than anyone else.
"But you get to a point where you have done everything you set out to do and it is time to move on," he said.
Callahan's retirement means a Northern Virginia legislator probably won't be in charge of any of the money committees in the General Assembly, assuming Republicans maintain majorities in both chambers.
His departure also provides Democrats, who have set their sights on making gains in increasingly liberal Northern Virginia, with a prime opportunity to pick up a seat in the House. Although President Bush narrowly carried Callahan's district in 2004, Democrat James Webb won all the precincts last year to capture a U.S. Senate seat. In 2001, the last year he was challenged, Callahan won with 60 percent of the vote. He is also the only elected Republican state officeholder inside the Capital Beltway.
"We are confident we will be able to prevail in that district," said Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
Two Democrats, lawyer Richard "Rip" Sullivan Jr. and community activist Margaret "Margie" Vanderhye, are vying for their party's nomination. Businessman Dave Hunt and Stuart Mendelson, a former Fairfax County supervisor, have been mentioned as possible Republican candidates.
Regarded as one of the more moderate Republicans in the General Assembly, Callahan took a particular interest in fighting for funding for human services and education programs.
Alan G. Merten, president of George Mason, said he took a "gasp for breath" when he learned yesterday that Callahan is retiring. Merten said Callahan was instrumental in a recent building boom at the campus, which has resulted in new facilities at the main Fairfax branch and campuses in Arlington and Prince William counties. Last year, the university formally recognized him for his efforts.
"Every year, I would find myself having conversations with Vince as to what George Mason needed," Merten said. "In Vince, we knew we had a friend with power, and now we are not sure who is going to step forward and be that friend."
Terrence D. Jones, president and chief executive of Wolf Trap, called Callahan "an extraordinary ally" in helping fund arts education programs. "He's been able to help thousands and thousands of children throughout the commonwealth."
Callahan, a Washington native and Korean War veteran, published a defense industry newsletter during the 1950s before entering public life.
After an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 1965, Callahan was elected to the House in 1967.
At the time, he was one of only 14 Republicans in the chamber. In 1982, House Republicans selected Callahan as minority leader, but he was ousted three years later when delegates from rural areas strengthened their influence in the party.
Callahan regained a leadership position in 1998 when he became co-chairman of the Appropriations Committee under a power-sharing agreement with the Democrats, who controlled half the chamber's seats. He became chairman two years later when Republicans gained an outright majority.
In recent years, Callahan has criticized the rising influence of conservatives within the Republican Party. While other party leaders have taken a staunchly anti-tax stand, for instance, he has backed a number of tax increases.
"The Republicans are taking these far right stances, and it's doing them in," he said in a recent interview.
Del. Lacey E. Putney, an independent from Bedford who aligns with Republicans, will probably succeed Callahan as Appropriations Committee chairman if the GOP keeps control of the House.
Putney, vice chairman of the committee, said Callahan has been "extremely beneficial to Northern Virginia."
"It is going to be a tremendous loss, not just for Northern Virginia but the commonwealth," said Putney, who was elected in 1962 and is the only delegate who has been in office longer than Callahan.
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