Friday, February 27, 2009
Assembly taps McDonnell's chief deputy as top prosecutor
General Assembly 2011
Among the major issues: The state's continuing efforts to provide services with fewer dollars and Gov. McDonnell's plan to privatize liquor stores. Session ends Feb. 26.
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RICHMOND -- The General Assembly confirmed Bill Mims as the state's attorney general Thursday, tapping the former legislator to serve out the remainder of Republican Bob McDonnell's term.
McDonnell resigned as attorney general last week to become a full-time candidate for governor and urged lawmakers to pick Mims, his chief deputy, to succeed him. Mims was approved without opposition Thursday by both houses of the legislature.
"I am honored to serve as attorney general following Bob McDonnell," Mims said in a statement. "Bob McDonnell was an exceptional attorney general, and I plan to continue his legacy by providing the very best legal services for Virginia's citizens."
Mims served in the House of Delegates from 1992 to 1997 and in the Senate from 1998 to 2005 and worked as a lawyer in Leesburg. McDonnell hired him as chief deputy attorney general after taking office in 2006.
Mims is highly regarded by lawmakers in both parties and Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, also supported his selection to complete McDonnell's term, which expires in January.
"As my chief deputy attorney general over the last three years, Bill ran the day-to-day operations of the office with extraordinary management skill," McDonnell said. "He is beloved by the staff at the office, widely respected in the Virginia legal and political communities, and well suited to serve as the next attorney general of Virginia."
Mims, a native of Harrisonburg, earned a bachelor's degree at the College of William and Mary and has law degrees from George Washington University and Georgetown University.
