When voters sent an equally divided Senate to the capital, we knew that there would be moments of tension. One such moment occurred last week, when we took up the constitutional requirement that we elect judges. Prior to convening session for the day, we had reached an agreement that the Senate would first vote to re-elect all incumbent judges, and later on the election of two first-time nominees. We had expected to see that arrangement honored, and were surprised to find instead all of the judges before us--incubent and new alike. 

Having previously outlined his interpretation of the constitutional powers of the Lieutenant Governor in a memo, Mr. Bolling could not vote to break the ensuing 20-20 tie that resulted, and we found ourselves in a stalemate.  In his State of the Commonwealth address to the residents of Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell warned of the consequences of overreach; what we saw on Tuesday was just that. After two days of discussion and debate, the two new judges' names were removed from consideration, and we were able to get back to the business of the people. This situation is almost certain to arise again, however, and it is my sincere hope that  members from both sides of the aisle will be able to find compromise and avoid another standoff.