Ken Stolle announces candidacy

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Public safety leaders from around the Commonwealth endorsed Senator Ken Stolle’s candidacy for Virginia Beach Sheriff today. Many of them appeared with Stolle at a news conference held on the City Hall steps in Virginia Beach. The Stolle for Sheriff campaign also announced endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Firefighters, heads of statewide law enforcement organizations and the entire Virginia Beach City Council.

Stolle is a leading advocate for public safety at the state and local levels. As the only current member of the Senate who was a police officer, Ken knows first-hand the needs of first responders and other public safety officials. He has championed stricter penalties for gang activity, the abolition of parole and enhanced penalties for DUI offenders.

Here’s what some of our state leaders have to say about Ken:

Governor Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell, former Attorney General & Republican Gubernatorial nominee, agree that Ken Stolle’s public safety record is unparalleled. Both said, “Ken Stolle is an extremely effective legislator and the leading public safety expert in the Virginia General Assembly.”

Former Governor and current U.S. Senator Mark Warner added, “Ken Stolle has been a leader in the state legislature on law enforcement matters, and he has worked his entire career to support, fund and properly equip our public safety professionals.”

Stolle’s bipartisan appeal is equally strong locally. Current Virginia Beach Sheriff Paul Lanteigne and former Sheriff Frank Drew, a Republican and a Democrat respectively, said, “Ken Stolle is the most qualified candidate to be our next Sheriff.”

Lanteigne added, “Ken has spent his entire career improving the safety and security of the citizens of Virginia Beach. His experience and expertise make him uniquely suited to be Sheriff.” Lanteigne is joined by Dennis Free and Marc Schuster, his two Chief Deputies, in supporting Stolle.

As chairman of the Crime Commission, Stolle sponsored new legislation to strengthen Virginia’s laws that crack down on sex offenders. These initiatives have improved Virginia’s Sex Offender Registry and begun GPS tracking of known sex offenders.

Click HERE for more on Ken Stolle for Virginia Beach Sheriff.