Contrasting Institutional Knowledge

The Virginia House of Delegates may be the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World, but when it comes to experience its members are relative newbies compared to the Virginia Senate. This visual compares the collective institutional knowledge of Virginia's two legislative chambers. All but three of the 40 senators have served at least five years in the legislature, while nearly one-third of the 100-member House has been around fewer than five years. One reason: Many delegates aspire to the Senate, where committees are smaller and the terms are twice as long. In fact, half of the current senators cut their teeth in the House.

State Senate

Members' Years in Legislature

House of Delegates

Members' Years in Legislature