W. Henry Maxwell

Rev.
W. Henry Maxwell
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
December 1992  January 14, 2004
Preceded by Bobby Scott
Succeeded by Mamie Locke
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 95th district
In office
January 12, 1983  December 1992
Preceded by No one (new district)
Succeeded by Flora D. Crittenden
Personal details
Born ( 1935 -04-03)April 3, 1935
Reidsville, North Carolina
Died November 13, 2010 ( 2010 -11-13) (aged 75)
Detroit, Michigan
Resting place Newport News, Virginia
Political party Democratic
Children Walter Maxwell, Jr., Ronald Maxwell, A'ngela Maxwell Rush
Residence Newport News, Virginia
Alma mater Norfolk State University
Virginia State University
Virginia Seminary and College
Profession Minister
Religion Baptist

The Rev. Dr. Walter Henry Maxwell, Sr. (April 3, 1935 November 13, 2010) was an African-American politician and Baptist minister from Newport News, Virginia. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 19831993 and the Senate of Virginia 19932004.[1][2]

Early life, education, career

Maxwell was born April 3, 1935 in Reidsville, North Carolina and raised in Newport News. Maxwell graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1951. He then attended Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, and earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Virginia Seminary and College. The same school awarded him a Doctor of Theology degree in 1974.[1]

Maxwell was the minister of Ivy Baptist Church in Newport News.[1]

Political career

After the 1980 census, the Virginia House of Delegates switched entirely to single-member districts, after a year of legislative and legal wrangling.[3] Incumbent Democratic Delegate Bobby Scott was elected in November 1982 to the new 95th district. Before taking office in the new seat, he won a December special election to fill a vacancy in the 2nd Senate district. The Democratic Party nominated Maxwell to replace Scott, and on January 11, 1983, he defeated Republican James W. Parker, getting 83.8% of the vote. The following November Maxwell won a full Senate term, gaining 74.5% of the vote against two independents.[4]

Maxwell was reelected without opposition in 1985 and 1989. In 1987 and 1991, he defeated independent candidates, getting more than 80% of the vote each time.[4]

While in the House, he served on the committees on the Chesapeake and Its Tributaries, Claims, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Health, Welfare, and Institutions.[1]

In November 1992, Scott was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Maxwell was again nominated to fill Scott's vacancy, this time in the state Senate. On December 15, 1992, Maxwell won a four-way special election in the 2nd district, getting 39.1% of the votes, against 31.5% for Republican city councilman James O. West, 24.8% for former Newport News Mayor Jessie M. Rattley, and 4.5% for independent Joyce B. Hobson.[4]Flora D. Crittenden won the special election in 1993 to succeed him as delegate.

Maxwell was unopposed for reelection to the Senate in 1995. In 1999, he received 80% of the vote against independent Michael A. Rogers, Sr.[4] Senator Maxwell served on the Committees on Rehabilitation and Social Services, Commerce and Labor, General Laws, and Transportation.[1]

Maxwell did not seek reelection in 2003 due to health issues.[5]

Death

Maxwell died of complications from diabetes and Parkinson's disease on November 13, 2010 while staying with his daughter near Detroit, Michigan. He was buried in Hampton, VA.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Senate Joint Resolution No. 441 (2011)". Virginia General Assembly.
  2. "Session 1992; Maxwell, W. Henry". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  3. Earls, Anita S., Kara Milonski, Oni Seliski and Torrey Dixon (March 2006). "Voting Rights in Virginia, 19822006" (PDF). RenewtheVRA.org. p. 7. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database Project, 1776-2007". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  5. 1 2 Williams, Allison T. (2010-11-13). "Former state Senator, Newport News pastor, W. Henry Maxwell dies". Daily Press. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
Virginia House of Delegates
Preceded by
newly created district
Virginia House of Delegates, 95th District
19831993
Succeeded by
Flora D. Crittenden
Senate of Virginia
Preceded by
Bobby Scott
Virginia Senate, District 2
19932004
Succeeded by
Mamie Locke
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