Former Virginia Sen. Janet Howell, Reston's Longtime Lawmaker, Dies at 82

RESTON, VA — Former Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell, the longtime Northern Virginia lawmaker who represented Reston, McLean and parts of Arlington for more than three decades and became the first woman to lead the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, died over the weekend, according to reports. She was 82.

Howell, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 1991 and took office in 1992, representing Fairfax County and portions of Arlington until retiring in 2024, according to the Associated Press. During her tenure, she became the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, one of the General Assembly's most influential positions.

Northern Virginia Leaders Pay Tribute

Current and former elected officials from across Northern Virginia remembered Howell Sunday as a mentor, legislative leader and champion for public service.

State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Reston), who succeeded Howell in the Senate, reflected on decades of knowing and working alongside her.

"I've just learned that former state Senator Janet Howell has passed away," Boysko wrote on Facebook. "Janet was a role model, a mentor, a leader."

Boysko said she had been represented by Howell, later served with her in the General Assembly and eventually succeeded her in the Senate.

"She's gone way too soon," Boysko wrote. "I send love, peace and comfort to her husband Hull and to her entire family, our General Assembly community, her beloved Reston community and to all who knew and admired her."

Former Del. Mark Keam (D), whose House district overlapped Howell's Senate district for more than a decade, called her death "a tremendous loss for our Commonwealth."

"Janet Howell was a long time public servant who loved serving people, and she especially loved being part of our state legislature," Keam wrote on Facebook.

Keam noted Howell began her career in Richmond as a legislative staff member before later representing many of the same Northern Virginia communities in the Senate.

"She made history as the first woman to serve as the Chair of the Virginia State Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee," he wrote.

Keam also recalled Howell inviting him to her home after his election to the House of Delegates to offer advice as a freshman legislator.

"She was a natural born leader and a mentor, a thoughtful policy and political strategist, and a compassionate and empathetic servant," Keam wrote. "Along with countless others, I learned so much from Sen. Howell about how to serve and to make a difference."

Del. Holly Seibold (D-Vienna) said Howell represented Northern Virginia "with integrity and an unwavering commitment to public service" for more than 30 years.

While Howell is most closely associated with Reston and McLean, Seibold noted she also represented portions of Vienna before redistricting changed district boundaries.

"Senator Howell broke barriers as the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee," Seibold wrote. "She was a champion for public education, mental health, voting rights, and protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence."

Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (D) described Howell as both a public servant and mentor.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator Janet Howell," Hashmi wrote in a statement posted to social media.

"The first woman in Virginia's history to serve as the Chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, Senator Howell was, first and foremost, a committed public servant and a strong voice on the issues that impact our communities."

Hashmi added, "She was a mentor to many women, including me. My thoughts are with her loved ones today. Janet is greatly missed."

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) also remembered Howell in a statement posted on Facebook and republished by Blue Virginia.

"For over three decades, Janet served Northern Virginia with fierce determination, sharp intellect, and unwavering integrity," Surovell wrote. "As the first woman to co-chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, she paved the way for generations of women leaders while leaving an indelible mark on our Commonwealth's budget, mental health system, and public schools."

Story Will Be Updated

Patch is working to obtain a statement from Howell's family or representatives, along with information about funeral or memorial arrangements and additional details about her passing.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.