Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 9 health care lobbyist, and later in the Carter administration when the U.S. Department of Education was created. One of Surovell’s grandfathers was from a Jewish family that came to the U.S. in 1935. It was a malicious time. They were treated very badly—worse than the Jewish population that had settled earlier. They were given literacy tests and charged a poll tax in order to vote. Grandfather William Booth has the distinction, with his 8thgrade education, of being the electrician who wired the notable Mill Mountain Star. His mother’s family comes from a long line of Virginia farmers, and today Surovell, a 13th generation Virginian, insisted that we include, along with his political career, the title “farmer.” His parents divorced when he was very young, and they lived in adjoining houses. He scampered from house to house, not thinking of the arrangement as at all unorthodox. “It was fine,” he said. He attended James Madison University, majoring in political science and serving in student government (as did Ryan McDougle), and went on to the University of Virginia School of Law, where he rubbed elbows with our own Chap Petersen, Jennifer McClellan, and Rob Bell, among others. (“I was very social.”) Freshman year at JMU was during the days of Governor Doug Wilder. In his senior year came a lucky (but well-earned) break. He was called by Ron Carrier, JMU president, and encouraged to apply to become a Governor’s Fellow. In the summer of 1993, he was accepted and worked under the incomparable Bill Leighty, who has done everything in the world and at that time was heading up the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Then it was off to law school, where his interest at that time was environmental law. He worked in that area after law school and then became a lawyer like his father. But before Surovell’s dive into state politics, he got busy with his love of biking and hiking—which could be a whole other essay. Right after law school, he biked across the U.S., from Oregon to Virginia Beach. As if that weren’t enough exercise, he now has a house in the Adirondacks, where he joined the elite “Club 49er.” To earn that, you have to complete 49 hikes. He did it two weeks before his 46th birthday. Not impressive enough, you say? He has hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Mount Kilimanjaro, and four Ecuadorean volcanos. Did I mention he attends more than his share of Nats games? The year 2009 marked his entrance into the Virginia House of Delegates. He served there until 2015, when he moved over to the Virginia Senate. One of the first things you learn at Capitol Square is that the House and the Senate are quite different. Surovell has a lot to say about that. And the differences intensify year by year as the two political parties vie for majority control. The logistics have changed since Surovell joined the House and moved to the Senate. He is a Democrat, whose party controls both chambers of the state legislature at this time. He’s using this moment in history to get things done. Observing Surovell on the Senate floor, we see a demeanor that one would describe as composed, confident, and passionate. The beard and mustache sometimes hide a wide, true smile. His speeches reveal the deep concern he has for those of us whose lives suffer the most. Surovell says the Senate has a more “friendly” way to get things done. He has a strategy—but we won’t share his trade secrets. Bonnie Atwood is a retired lobbyist and award-winning writer for Tall Poppies Consulting and David Bailey Associates. d in the Shockoe bblestone ct, the y provides etaway in tling ntown mond. 1200 E Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219 https://www.berkeleyhotel.com/ Whether you stay with us for business or leisure, the Berkeley will keep you coming back with its classic charm! Located in the historic Shockoe Slip cobblestone district, the Berkeley provides a cozy getaway in bustling downtown Richmond. 1200 E Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219 https://www.berkeleyhotel.com/ Whether you stay with us for business or leisure, the Berkeley will keep you coming back with its classic charm! Located in the historic Shockoe Slip cobblestone district, the Berkeley provides a cozy getaway in bustling downtown Richmond. Located minutes from the RoanokeBlacksburg Regional Airport and downtown Roanoke. Take in a meal at our top of brand bistro, featuring one the largest bourbon selections in Southwest Virginia! Stay at Courtyard Roanoke tonight - your stay, your way! www.marriott.com/roacy 3301 Ordway Drive NW, Roanoke, VA 24017 (540)563-5002 V
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