Background
Armstrong, Ward Lynn was born on June 2, 1956 in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. Son of Robert Ward and Susan Morgan Armstrong.
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Ward Lynn Armstrong
Edit ProfileEducation
Duke University (Bachelor of Arts, 1977). University of Richmond (Juris Doctor, 1980). Legal Counsel to Citizens Against Family Violence, Spouse Abuse Center, since 1984.
Law Clerk, Justice Carrington Thompson, Supreme Court of Virginia, 1980-1981.
Career
He served in the Virginia, with a stint as minority leader, from 1992 until he was defeated for reelection in 2011. Armstrong was raised in Bassett, Virginia, graduating from John Doctorate. Bassett High School in 1974. In 1980, Armstrong received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law.
After law school, he worked as a law clerk to Justice West. Carrington Thompson of the Supreme Court of Virginia for one year.
He has practiced law in Martinsville, Virginia since 1981. He represented the 10th House District, and served on the Courts of Justice, Rules, and Finance committees.
On February 24, 2007, Armstrong was elected Minority Leader of the Democrats in the Virginia As Minority Leader, he has organized the "51 Club" to assist candidates in an effort to establish a Democratic majority in the As of early 2008, Armstrong said he would oppose closing an exemption for one-on-one gun sales between individuals from instant background checks (the gun show loophole), even though he usually plays a key role in rallying Democratic support for Governor Tim Kaine"s agenda, saying "My constituents pretty much expect me to oppose it," he said. "Carroll County is my district, and it¹s home to one of the largest gun shows on the East Coast." Armstrong, with two young daughters of his own, said he is filled with sympathy for the Virginia Technical Massacre victims but that it won"t sway his opposition to closing the loophole.
"As legislators, we have to be dispassionate when it comes to the law."
Armstrong was defeated on November 8, 2011 while running for election in the 9th House District.
Armstrong was placed in the 16th District during the required redistricting after the 2010 census. The 16th district seat was held by Republican incumbent Donald Merricks. Armstrong chose to relocate and challenge Republican incumbent Charles Poindexter in the 9th House district.
He left his home and moved into his mother-in-law"s house in the town of Bassett.
Poindexter defeated Armstrong with 53% to 47% of the vote. During his 2011 campaign Armstrong raised and spent more than $1,000,000.
Armstrong considered running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General in the 2013 elections but decided not to
Achievements
Views
Quotations: "My constituents pretty much expect me to oppose it,".
Membership
Member, chairman board deacons Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church. Board directors Virginia Museum Transportation, since 1992. Member of Martinsville & Henry County Chamber of C. (board director 1984-1987), National Railway History Society (Roanoke chapter) (legal counsel since 1981), Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Bassett Public Library.
(board member 1989-1992), Kiwanis Club (board director 1985-1987).
Connections
Married Pamela Akers, 1982. Children: Courtney Lynn, Whitney Akers.
