Watkins was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1982 and re-elected twice. He was then elected to the Virginia Senate. He became known for supporting public transit and regional cooperation. Although he faced no opponent in 2007, and easily defeated Democrat David Meade Bernard in 2011, in November 2014, Watkins announced that he would not run for re-election in 2016. He cited wanting to spend more time with his grandchildren as well as new ethics laws following the conviction of former Governor
Bob McDonnell. As legislators work part-time, many have full-time jobs. Watkins owns a nursery, land along
Virginia Route 288 coveted by developers (for a shopping mall, among other things) and is Chairman of the Board of Essex Bank. The
Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that Watkins was also considered a maverick, more liberal than many in his party. In a hotly contested race to succeed him in the 10th District, Republican
Glen Sturtevant defeated Democrat Daniel Gecker. ==References==