Lee Ware

Robert Lee Ware Jr. (born August 20, 1952) is an American politician representing Virginia's 72nd House of Delegates district. He was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1998, representing the 65th district. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Life, education, and career Ware was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He received a B.A. degree in history and literature from Wheaton College in 1974 and pursued graduate studies in the same subjects at Harvard University, Asbury Seminary, Northeastern University, Longwood University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ware moved to Powhatan, Virginia as editor of the weekly newspaper the Powhatan Gazette, where he worked between 1981-1984.

Starting in 1984, Ware taught history and government at Powhatan High School for 15 years. He later taught at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Academy. In 2012 he became academic dean of Benedictine College Preparatory School until his retirement in 2014. Ware is a Roman Catholic and has four children: Karen, Rob, Thomas, and Jeb.

Ware has also served on numerous commissions as well as state-level boards, notably including the Virginia State Board of Education and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees. Agriculture (1998–2001) Chesapeake and Natural Resources (2002–present) Claims (1998–1999) Commerce and Labor (2002–present) Conservation and Natural Resources (1998–2001) Corporations Insurance and Banking (1998–2001) Finance (2001–present), formerly as Chair Militia and Police (2000–2001) Militia Police and Public Safety (2002–2003) Mining and Mineral Resources (1998–2000) Rules (2010–present)

Opposition to selective ban on Sunday hunting Ware has historically opposed efforts to lift Virginia's selective ban on Sunday hunting. In 2014, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed legislation to permit hunting on Sunday allowing private property owners to choose for their own property, not within 200 yards of church, and no use of hunting deer with hounds. This victory was passed by large margin of 71 in favor and the minority at 27 against.

Electoral history Ware served two terms on the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors, 1988–1996. He was board chairman for one year.

On December 17, 1997, state Senator Joseph B. Benedetti resigned his seat to accept Governor-elect Jim Gilmore's offer to become head of the state Department of Criminal Justice Services. 65th district Delegate John Watkins was chosen to succeed Benedetti in a special election on January 6, 1998. On January 13, the day before the Virginia General Assembly convened, Ware won a special election to replace Watkins. He was sworn in three days later.

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Edward B. Barber | Democratic

Jeffrey M. Keegan | Independent

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Timothy R. Belton | Independent

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Christine K. Lowrie | Democratic

John H. Girardeau III | Libertarian

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Robert E. Williams | Democratic

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Gary R. Reinhardt | Independent

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

William E. Quarles Jr. | Democratic

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Francis M. Stevens | Democratic

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Michael P. "Mike" Asip | Democratic

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Bilal Z. Raychouni | Democratic

R. Lee Ware Jr. | Republican

Randolph T. Critzer, Jr. | Democratic

Kristin A. Farry | Forward