Last month we lost the Honorable James Scott (1938-2017), also known as “Landslide Jim.” Mr. Scott served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years and in the Virginia House of Delegates for 22 years. More importantly for us and for Mason, he received his MPA in 1982 and helped establish the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
When Mr. Scott, a Democrat, first ran for the House of Delegates, officials determined that his opponent had won the election by 17 votes. In a recount weeks later, Mr. Scott was found to have won, by 1 vote – he immediately became “Landslide Jim.”
Among his accomplishments in the legislature were the 1995 Virginia motor voter law, which allowed residents to register to vote by mail and at motor vehicle, welfare, employment, and other state offices. He also sponsored the “Stand by Your Ad” bill, which required Virginia candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and the General Assembly to appear in and personally endorse the content of their campaign advertisements. He also led the effort to create a cabinet-level position in technology within the Commonwealth.
Mr. Scott was known to his colleagues as a “gentle but forceful advocate for all who feel powerless,” according to Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA). And, as you might anticipate, was a student activist during his college days.