Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 15, 1994 TAG: 9403150039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
By Sunday, he found out he hadn't.
Hapgood had been nominated by both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses.
Democrats hold majorities in both houses, so backing by the caucuses usually is tantamount to election.
But it's not a sure thing.
And as it turned out, the legislature didn't vote on the appointment until Saturday, when it selected Chatham lawyer George A. Jones Jr. instead.
"It wasn't wrong for him to assume; his chances were very good," said Del. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Martinsville. "However, one of the things you learn being in the General Assembly is it's not over till it's over, and it's subject to change until the actual vote."
Hapgood had no comment.
Jones, 46, will start in about a month, after he winds down his private practice.
He has practiced law in Chatham for about 20 years.
"I've always wanted to be a judge," Jones said. "So when the opportunity arose, I figured it was time to open that door - at least try to."
Jones said giving up his practice will be challenging.
"That'll be the hardest thing. I've been a substitute judge since 1986, so it's not going to be something I haven't done before," he said.
The general district judgeship came open when Judge William Alexander II was moved up to circuit judge for the 22nd District, a vacancy created when Judge Robert Vines died in late February.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB