(Clarksville, VA) — A longtime Southside lawmaker passed away over the weekend.
Frank Ruff was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1994, representing Clarksville and Mecklenburg County. In 2000 he won the race for an open Senate seat and won re-election six times.
After being diagnosed with cancer last year, Ruff announced last December he was stepping down from the seat. His former legislative aide, Tammy Mulchi, was elected to replace him.
“Virginia has lost a legend of public service whose legacy will be felt across the Commonwealth not for years—but generations to come,” said Governor Glenn Youngkim. “Senator Frank Ruff has always believed that his public service was about finding good policy solutions to improve the lives of Virginians in rural communities.”
In addition to his duties in Richmond, Ruff also served over 20 years on the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
Earlier this year, Ruff was awarded an honorary degree during DCC’s commencement ceremony.
“Frank’s decades of service to the people of Virginia—spanning the General Assembly since 1993, the Mecklenburg Board of Supervisors before that, and finally as a citizen member and chairman of the Tobacco Regional Revitalization Commission—are matched by few but have inspired many,” Governor Youngkin added.
Also this past spring, the Center for Rural Virginia was named in Ruff’s honor. He introduced the legislation that formed the center 20 years ago. Frank Ruff was 75 years old.
