Amid firestorm of criticism, Puckett won’t take tobacco commission job

By Laura Vozzella, Updated: Monday, June 9, 2:07 PM

RICHMOND — Amid a firestorm of criticism regarding his resignation from the Virginia Senate, Democrat Phillip P. Puckett is withdrawing his name from consideration for a job with the state tobacco commission, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

Puckett (D-Russell) formally resigned his seat Monday and was expected to be appointed deputy director of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission at a meeting, possibly as soon as this week.

But after Democrats accused Puckett of selling out, he decided to remain with his job in banking, according to two people who were familiar with his decision. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his decision.

It’s not clear whether the criticism fueled his decision. Puckett has not returned repeated messages seeking comment Sunday and Monday.

A fellow senator, Frank M. Ruff Jr. (R-Mecklenburg), said at a public meeting Monday that Puckett would not join the tobacco commission after all, according to someone with knowledge of his statement but not authorized to discuss it.

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