Virginia politics involves a hierarchy of elected organizations and processes that extend from city/county school board s to the President of the United States.   The most predominant path by which Virginia state and national politicians begin their careers begins with the most basic of local elections, the local school boards.  This is also where the filtering of politicians must begin.  It is a whole lot easier to choose among thousands of qualified candidates for higher position than just a few.  The state and national levels of government are divided into Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government.  The Legislative Branch, most often in conjunction with the Executive Branch, make laws.  The Executive Branch enforces the laws and the Judicial Branches are supposed to intervene when laws are inconsistent with superceding Government control documents, like the Constitution, the Bill or Rights, or local constitutions and codes.   Unfortunately, as of late, appointed (non-elected) judges of the national Judicial Branch, consisting of District Courts, District Appeal Courts, and even the Supreme Court, through judicial activism, are liberally interpreting the Constitution of the United States in order to legislate their agendas upon our society.   It has become the Imperial branch of government.  Between Congress and the President, they lack the gumption to stop this lawlessness.  

Although every effort is made to synchronize state elections with national elections and local elections with state elections to reduce costs and the burden on the voter, this is not always possible.     

By the grace of God and the blood of our forefathers, Virginians control their destiny through the ballot box.  While true, it is tedious to study each candidate, the careful selection of candidates is important since each elected official is involved in making or enforcing the laws that affect your life.  From the local clerk of the county or school board member to the President of the United States, each vote is important.  The Family Values Alliances beseeches each and every Virginian to know the platform of the candidates, the voting records of the incumbents, and  to watch for and weigh the double-speak of two-faced politicians when casting their ballots.

As a Virginian, you will be responsible for electing:
1 or more school board members
1 or more city/county Council members/Commissioners
1 City/County Executive
1 Local Sheriff (most probably)
1 Clerk of the Court (most probably)
1 Commonwealth Attorney (most probably)
1 Delegate to Virginia General Assembly
1 Senator to Virginia General Assembly
1 Representative to US House of Representatives
2 Senators to US Senate
1 President of the United States

The hierarchy of legislative politicians elected by Virginians is as follows:

Local (County/City) Level (Va has __ local governments each with their own organization, laws, and processes)
Index of Local Counties and Cities
 - School Board
    - School District Maps (if applicable)
 - County/City Commissioners/Council Members
    - County District Maps (if applicable)
 - County/City Executive

State Level
Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly (100 Districts, 1 Delegate per District, 2 Yr term)
        - District Maps
        - Find your Delegate/District
Senator to the Virginia General Assembly (40 Districts, 1 Senator per District, 4 Yr term)
        -  District Maps
        - Find your Delegate/District
State Attorney (_____term)
Lt Governor (_____term)
Governor (_____ term)

Other Aspects of Virginia State Government
    General Assembly Session - Meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and for 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend annual sessions for a maximum of 30 days.

    Senate Committees (11)
        Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
        Commerce and Labor
        Courts of Justice
        Education and Health
        Finance
        General Laws
        Local Government
        Privileges and Elections
        Rehabilitation and Social Services
        Rules
        Transportation
    
    House Committees (14)
        Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources
        Appropriations
        Commerce and Labor
        Counties Cities and Towns
        Courts of Justice
        Education
        Finance
        General Laws
        Health Welfare and Institutions
        Militia Police and Public Safety
        Privileges and Elections
        Rules
        Science and Technology
        Transportation

National Level
Representative to House of Representatives (11 Districts/11 Reps, 2 Yr term)
              - District Maps
              - Find your Representatives/District
Senator to US Senate (2 for Virginia, 6 Yr term )
President (The Electoral College elects the President.  Virginia has 13 of 538 representatives to Electoral College, all 13 representatives are directed by Virginia law to vote for the candidate voted for by the majority of Virginians.  4 Yr term)

Sources o f materials:
http://vastudies.pwnet.org/vs10/vs10_a.htm
http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/SoC/OrgChart2003-2004.pdf