By Guy Page
A Georgia-Fairfax Republican legislator has gone public with her support for incumbent Jill Krowinski in the upcoming race for Speaker of the House.
Krowinski, a Democrat and former lobbyist for Planned Parenthood, faces a challenge from independent Rep. Laura Sibilia (Dover). The election will be held the first full day of the session, Wednesday January 8.
Bartley led the GOP end of the tri-partisan but unsuccessful charge to pass extensive Act 250 reform allowing more rural housing last year. Last session, she was a member of the House Committee on General and Housing.
Bartley said Sibilia was the principal reporter of the carbon tax and was a strong backer of the renewable energy standard and pupil weighting school funding formula.
She shared her endorsement of Krowinski on X yesterday. Her comments read in part:
“Many of us returning this biennium may share feelings of frustration from the last term. Yet, during those moments, I found myself in conversations with the Speaker, candidly expressing my concerns.
“While I didn’t always like the answers I received, I was consistently met with honesty, thoughtfulness, and a genuine willingness to hear me out.
“This is the kind of leadership that earns respect, even across differing perspectives. That’s why, on January 8th, I will vote for Jill Krowinski for Speaker of the House.”
Krowinski has denied repeated calls for a debate with Sibilia. Earlier this month, 18 members of the Democratic caucus voted against a resolution requiring Democrats only hold leadership positions. The vote was construed by some as internal support by a large minority for Sibilia.