Owen B. Pickett

Owen Bradford Pickett (August 31, 1930 – October 27, 2010) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia.

Owen B. Pickett
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	G. William Whitehurst
Succeeded by	Edward Schrock
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 81st district
In office January 12, 1983 – December 30, 1986
Preceded by	None (district created)
Succeeded by	Glenn R. Croshaw
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 38th district
In office January 13, 1982 – January 12, 1983 Serving with Buster O'Brien, Glenn McClanan, Billy O'Brien, and Melvin Spence
Preceded by	Frederick H. Creekmore Tom Forehand
Succeeded by	Nora Anderson Squyres
Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia
In office 1980–1982
Preceded by	Richard J. Davis
Succeeded by	Alan Diamonstein
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 40th district
In office January 12, 1972 – January 13, 1982
Preceded by	Richard D. Guy
Personal details
Born	(1930-08-31)August 31, 1930 Richmond, Virginia
Died	October 27, 2010(2010-10-27) (aged 80) Virginia Beach, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Virginia Tech (B.S.) University of Richmond (LL.B.)
Profession	Politician, lawyer

Early life

Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia, on August 31, 1930. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1952 and the University of Richmond School of Law in 1955. Pickett was admitted to the Virginia State bar in 1955, and practiced law in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

State political career

Pickett served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1972 until 1986, representing a district centered on Virginia Beach. During this time, he also served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia from 1980 until 1982.

Pickett was considered the unopposed favorite for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in 1982 to run for the seat of retiring Democratic-turned-independent U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. In announcing his candidacy, Pickett paid tribute to the Byrd Organization, the political "machine" led by Senator Byrd's father, the late Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. The reference enraged State Senator L. Douglas Wilder of Richmond, who found Pickett's glowing references to a political machine that supported segregation unacceptable. Wilder said he would mount an independent candidacy if Pickett won the Democratic nomination. Pickett realized that Wilder was serious, and concluded that he would likely lose a three-way race with Wilder and the Republican nominee, Congressman Paul Trible. He pulled out of the race, and the Democrats instead nominated Lt. Governor Richard Joseph Davis, who lost narrowly to Trible in the 1982 general election.

Congressional career

Meanwhile, voters of Virginia's 2nd congressional district elected Pickett in 1986 to become their U.S. Representative. Re-elected several times (and facing no opponent in 1998), Pickett represented the district from January 3, 1987, until January 3, 2001, announcing in 2000 that he was not a candidate for reelection to the 107th Congress. The Owen B. Pickett U.S. Custom House in Norfolk, Virginia, was named in his honor in 2001.

Electoral history

• 1986; Pickett defeated Republican A. Joe Canada Jr. and Independent Stephen P. Shao, winning 49.48% of the vote.
• 1988; Pickett defeated Republican Jerry R. Curry and Independents Stephen P. Shao and Robert A. Smith, winning 60.55% of the vote.
• 1990; Pickett defeated Independent Harry G. Broskie, winning 77.61% of the vote.
• 1992; Pickett defeated Republican J.L. Chapman, winning 56.03% of the vote.
• 1994; Pickett defeated Republican Chapman, winning 59.05% of the vote.
• 1996; Pickett defeated Republican John F. Tate, winning 57.72% of the vote.
• 1998; Pickett was unopposed for re-election in 1998.

Death

Pickett died on October 27, 2010, after several years of ill health.

Electoral history

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1986

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett	54,491	49.46%
	Republican	A. Joe Canada Jr.	46,137	41.88%
	Independent	Stephen P. Shao	9,492	8.62%
	Write-in		49	0.04%
Total votes			110,169	100%
	Democratic gain from Republican

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1988

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	106,666	60.53%
	Republican	Jerry R. Curry	62,564	35.51%
	Independent	Stephen P. Shao	4,255	2.41%
	Independent	Robert A. Smith	2,691	1.53%
	Write-in		32	0.02%
Total votes			176,208	100%
	Democratic hold

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1990

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	55,179	74.95%
	Independent	Harry G. Broskie	15,915	21.62%
	Write-in		2,524	3.43%
Total votes			73,618	100%
	Democratic hold

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1992

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	99,253	56.03%
	Republican	J. L. Chapman IV	77,797	43.92%
	Write-in		83	0.05%
Total votes			177,133	100%
	Democratic hold

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1994

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	81,372	59.05%
	Republican	J. L. Chapman IV	56,375	40.91%
	Write-in		55	0.04%
Total votes			137,802	100%
	Democratic hold

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1996

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	106,215	64.77%
	Republican	John F. Tate	57,586	35.11%
	Write-in		195	0.12%
Total votes			163,996	100%
	Democratic hold

Virginia's 2nd congressional district election, 1998

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Owen B. Pickett (Incumbent)	67,975	94.29%
	Write-in		4,116	5.71%
Total votes			72,091	100%
	Democratic hold

External links

• United States Congress. "Owen B. Pickett (id: P000326)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Appearances on C-SPAN