Louise Lucas

Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, has served in the Virginia Senate since 1992. In 2019, she became the first women and the first African American to be elected president pro tempore of the chamber. That year, she also became chairman of the Senate Education & Health Committee, a panel that oversees abortion legislation. Lucas is strongly pro-abortion rights. Lucas was born in Portsmouth and has B.S. and M.A. degrees from Norfoljk State University. She is President and CEO of Lucas Lodge, Lucas Transportation, Portsmouth Day Support Program and Southside Direct Care Provider.