Russ Potts

H. Russell Potts, Jr. is a Republican state senator in Virginia from Winchester and 2005 Virginia gubernatorial candidate. He chairs the Senate Education and Health Committee. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Potts graduated from the University of Maryland with a major in journalism and a minor in political science.

Potts is a former sports editor for the Winchester Star and has worked athletic positions with the University of Maryland and Southern Methodist University. He was also once vice president of the Chicago White Sox. Since 1982 Potts has owned Russ Potts Productions Inc., a small business in sports promoting; the company claims to have "promoted more sporting events than any other entity in North America."

Opposition to Candidacy

On March 7, 2005, the Winchester City Republican Committee declared that it no longer recognizes Potts as a member and called on him to resign his Senate seat[1]. The Republicans believe Potts' gubernatorial campaign as an "independent Republican" could split the Republican vote between Potts and Jerry Kilgore. Lloyd Ross, founder of the Tuesday Morning retail chain, donated $300,000 to the Potts campaign[2].

In April 2005, Lieutenant Governor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Kaine, in his role as president of the Senate, refused to entertain a motion to strip Potts of his committee assignments. His ruling was upheld on a 27–9 vote[3].

Political Views

Potts most frequently refers to himself as a "moderate Republican," and has criticized the Republican Party for being too far right politically to be in touch with the people it represents. Potts' liberal views on abortion and taxes have led some Republicans to label him a Republican In Name Only. Virginia pundits disagree on how he will affect the November gubernatorial election, and both the Kilgore and Kaine campaigns have announced his candidacy to be in their favor – the former because of Potts relatively liberal views, and the latter for his appeal to moderate Republicans. Potts is currently considered an underdog to both of these candidates, trailing behind them in popular and financial support.

References

• Russ Potts Vision for Virginia
• Edds, Margaret: Russ Potts: A Republican voice from outside the tent, The Virginian-Pilot, Apr. 10, 2005.
• Helderman, Rosalind S.: Potts Faces Wrath of Va. GOP: Leaders Move to Oust Senator Over Independent Bid, The Washington Post, Mar. 9, 2005.
• Shapiro, Jeff E.: Donor puts $300,000 into Potts Campaign, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Apr. 14, 2005.