Four more years
State Sen. Norman Stone wants four more years.
Stone, 73, plans to run for what political observers say would be an unprecedented 11th term. He recently held an event at which he raised an estimated $40,000 for his re-election bid.
Stone, first elected to the Senate in 1966, is the longest serving member of the state Senate. He also served one term in the House of Delegates just before he was elected to the Senate.
He’s the chairman of the county Senate delegation, a spot he’s held since 2003. Stone, a Democrat, represents the 6th District, including Dundalk, Essex and part of Rosedale.
So why run for another four years?
“It certainly isn’t for the money,” Stone said, noting he could have retired years ago and collected a pension. “I love doing what I’m doing.”
Sen. Bobby Zirkin, who is in his first term in the Senate, offered an alternate explanation.
“He has to mentor us young folks,” Zirkin said. “He has to take us under his wing.”
Stone said sometimes he needs “both wings.”