Warrenton attorney Jill Holtzman Vogel recently announced her intention to enter the race for Republican State Senator in Virginia's 27th District. The seat is currently held by Senator H. Russell Potts, Jr.

Holtzman Vogel pledged to work in Richmond "…for a government that meets the needs of living in 2007, not 1907."

"Government's inability to keep pace with the demands placed on education, transportation and energy call for reform at the very core of the system," she stated.

"We deserve cost saving transportation improvements like modern rail and a modern energy policy so residents never again have to fight to save their property from the blight of 150-foot-tall power towers in their backyard."

An unprecedented level of support has been raised for the non-incumbent with her exploratory committee receiving more than $359,000 to date to establish an extensive grassroots network.

She has also received key endorsements from Republican leaders including Delegate Clay Athey {VA18) and Frederick County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dick Shickle.

"Jill and I share many ideas for Virginia," said Athey. "She wants to protect our farms by giving local government the tools needed to manage growth, and is among the leaders in our region battling efforts by the power companies to expand towers over our landscape. She's smart, she's energetic and I look forward to serving with her in Richmond."

Shickle highlighted Jill's family's "long tradition of leadership in our community," and said "…Jill wants to make certain our local governments have the tools necessary to establish our own priorities, preserve our quality of life and do so in the most effective and efficient manner possible."

Her platform is designed to uphold conservative values and provide leadership in Richmond to lower taxes, support pro-family and pro-life initiatives, protect the 2nd Amendment, fight Richmond's wasteful spending, find transportation solutions without raising taxes, provide choices in education and preserve agricultural and historic resources.

Jill has deep roots in the Valley going back to the time the Valley was settled, and those values have served her well. She was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley and has lived and voted in the 27th District her entire life. She attended Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia and graduated from the College of William & Mary.

She received her law degree from DePaul University School of Law. She and her husband, Alex Vogel have four children.

Jill has a successful law practice and is a community activist who has devoted her time to local as well as national civic involvement. She has been active in her church, taught Sunday school, and worked in the community on countless volunteer projects.

She is a former Trustee of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, a Rotarian and a founding member of the Virginia Fife and Drum Club. Jill serves on the Board of Trustees of Massanutten Military Academy and as a Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee for the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.

A nationally recognized lawyer and political leader, Jill has held many senior posts in the Republican Party and in the Bush administration, including Chief Counsel to the Republican National Committee during the 2004 Presidential election and Deputy Counsel at the Department of Energy. She served as counsel at three Republican National Conventions in San Diego, Philadelphia, and New York.

In 2000, she helped manage the Presidential recount in West Palm Beach, Florida.