Bagby elected next Democratic Party of Virginia chair
Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)
Following a brief campaign to replace outgoing Democratic Party of Virginia chairwoman Susan Swecker, Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, was chosen as her successor over the weekend.
After announcing her decision to step down last month ahead of her term's end in December, Bagby emerged as the sole and heavily-endorsed candidate. Then democratic organizer and activist Josh Stanfield and DPVA 10th Congressional District chair Zach Pruckowski announced their candidacies, as well.
At a March 22 meeting of DPVA members, Bagby won election to complete Swecker's term, with 66% of the votes.
'My role is to make sure that I'm providing the glue to keep us together, to make sure that our coordinated campaigns and messaging is in sync, and that we have the resources to to get it done,' he told The Mercury ahead of his election.
In the weeks before the election, Stanfield had questioned Bagby's failure to disclose certain financial information on paperwork elected officials are required to file. Bagby updated the documents to correct what he called an 'oversight.'
As he prepares to take on his role within DPVA, he does not plan to step down from his current term as a state senator or as chair of the senate's Transportation Committee. He will resign as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. With 32 members, the caucus is ripe with others who could become its primary voice.
With Virginia's elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates up for election this year, Bagby will now be able to play a role as the face and voice of DPVA to help boost Democrat candidates. While candidates may look to the party for support in a handful of the most-competitive districts this year, Democrats are also stepping up to run in nearly every district.
Maintaining their majority in the House will be important for the advancement of three proposed constitutional amendments. Amending the state constitution requires resolutions to pass the legislature two years in a row with a House election in between before appearing on statewide ballots for final approval or rejection by voters.
While resolutions to remove a same-sex marriage prohibition from the constitution and to enshrine voting rights for people whith felony convictions who've completed their sentences passed with bipartisan support, a reproductive rights resolution advanced because of Democrats' majority in the legislature.
'I am ready to roll up my sleeves, work with local committees, engage directly with voters, and ensure our party keeps leading Virginia toward a brighter and better future,' Bagby said in a DPVA press release announcing his election as chair.
The Republican Party of Virginia may also see new leadership as chairman Rich Anderson has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force. Pending likely U.S. Senate approval, RPV could elect its new chair as early as April 12 , when its next meeting is scheduled.
State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, has announced his candidacy for the race backed by Gov Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares. Earle-Sears is running for governor this year and Miyares is seeking another term as attorney general, so the new RPV chair can also support their candidacies.
Regaining Republican ground in the House could be a counterweight to the Democrat–controlled Senate, which is not up for election until 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
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