Virginia House Elects First Black Speaker in Historic Milestone
Virginia’s state House is set to make history as it elects its first Black speaker in over 400 years of existence. Del. Don Scott, a U.S. Navy veteran and trial lawyer, has been unanimously chosen as the speaker-designee by the House Democratic Caucus. The full House of Delegates is expected to confirm his appointment during the upcoming legislative session in 2024.
Del. Don Scott expressed his commitment to moving Virginia forward, stating that he intends to honor the resounding message from Virginia voters for progress. In the recent legislative elections, Democrats not only regained control of the House of Delegates but also maintained their majority in the state Senate, preventing the establishment of a Republican trifecta with Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
With the outcome of divided government, Democrats will need to collaborate with Gov. Youngkin to secure his support for legislation. However, they will have the ability to pursue their agenda independently in certain areas, such as judicial elections and the initiation of constitutional amendments.
Del. Scott’s election as speaker symbolizes the progress made in Virginia and Richmond, especially considering the historical significance of Richmond as the former capital of the Confederacy. Speaking about his rise to power, Scott acknowledges the contributions of his ancestors who were instrumental in building the Capitol.
In an interview prior to the vote, Del. Scott affirmed that Democrats would prioritize advancing progressive priorities during Governor Youngkin’s term, even in the face of potential veto threats. Areas of focus include passing a budget that prioritizes the interests of Virginians over corporations, raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and strengthening gun-control laws, including a ban on assault-style weapons.
Regarding Governor Youngkin’s proposed 15-week abortion ban, Del. Scott stated unequivocally that it is dead. He emphasized the Virginia voters’ desire to protect women’s reproductive rights and expressed surprise at the shift in position from Republicans, who he feels are acting as a nanny state by infringing on women’s autonomy.
In addition to Del. Don Scott’s historic election, House Democrats also elected two other leaders. Del. Charniele Herring of Alexandria will resume her role as majority leader, while Del. Kathy Tran of Fairfax County will serve as caucus chair. Leadership elections for the other General Assembly caucuses are expected to take place in the coming days.
On the Republican side, the House Republicans are anticipated to vote on their leadership positions, including the challenge of Del. Todd Gilbert as speaker. Del. Terry Kilgore has declared his intention to contend against Del. Gilbert, who has held the speaker position since January 2022. The Senate Democratic and Republican caucuses are scheduled to hold their respective votes in the following week.
The election of Del. Don Scott as the first Black speaker of the Virginia House marks a significant milestone in the state’s history. It reflects the progress that Virginia has made and the determination of its residents to move forward. With divided government, the road ahead will require collaboration and negotiation, but Virginia Democrats are determined to advance their progressive agenda in order to better serve the interests of the people.
