2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26109665D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 135

Offered March 12, 2026

Commending Mae B. Midkiff.

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Patron—Hackworth

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WHEREAS, in 2026, Mae B. Midkiff retired as chair of the Giles County Republican Committee, concluding more than 32 years of service to the committee in various capacities; and

WHEREAS, Mae Midkiff grew up in Giles County and raised her family there with her husband, Newton “Junior” Midkiff; throughout her life, she has epitomized Southwest Virginia values through her devotion to her family, community, and faith; and

WHEREAS, having previously volunteered with community organizations and her church for decades, Mae Midkiff joined the Giles County Republican Committee (the Committee) in 1994; she held several leadership roles, including vice chair, until she was elected as chair in the late 2000s; and

WHEREAS, during Mae Midkiff's tenure as chair, the Committee worked diligently to advance Republican priorities and drive voter engagement throughout Giles County and Southwest Virginia, leading to the successful election of state and federal Republican candidates; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Mae Midkiff and the Committee launched the widely successful Stafford-Morris Dinner, which has become a staple in Southwest Virginia politics and has hosted many prominent guests and continues to be an important event for the Committee; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Mae Midkiff oversaw the establishment of the Committee's permanent headquarters at the Howard Morris Center in Pearisburg, which has served as both the Committee's nerve center and as a gathering place that has hosted dozens of Republican Party events and served as a hub for volunteers during election seasons; and

WHEREAS, the headquarters building is named after Mae Midkiff's longtime friend and mentor, Howard Morris, who previously served as chair of the Committee; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Ninth Congressional District Republican Committee recognized Mae Midkiff's many achievements and awarded her the Chairman of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, in 2026, the Giles County Republican Committee awarded Mae Midkiff the Lifetime Achievement Award for her legacy of service to the Republican Party; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Mae B. Midkiff hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as chair of the Giles County Republican Committee; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mae B. Midkiff as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her decades of contributions to the residents of Giles County and Southwest Virginia.