{"id":2411121,"date":"2025-03-07T16:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T21:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-democrats-set-to-pick-new-leader-ahead-of-key-elections-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-07T16:08:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T21:08:42","slug":"virginia-democrats-set-to-pick-new-leader-ahead-of-key-elections-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-democrats-set-to-pick-new-leader-ahead-of-key-elections-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Democrats set to pick new leader ahead of key elections &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvirginia-democrats-set-to-pick-new-leader-ahead-of-key-elections-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2411121&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Virginia Democrats are preparing for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/soros-funded-pac-labels-black-republican-an-uncle-tom-in-campaign-ad-skinfolk-aint-kinfolk\/\" title=\"Soros-backed PAC calls Black GOP member &#039;Uncle Tom&#039; in ad: &#039;Skinfolk \u2260 Kinfolk&#039;\">significant upcoming elections<\/a> while looking to elect a new leader. Susan \u2063Swecker,\u200b who has chaired the Virginia\u200b Democratic party since 2015, recently announced\u200c her\u2062 resignation, effective upon the selection of her successor on March 22. The party aims to maintain momentum from their\u200d recent successes in the House and Senate as they compete for\u2062 statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general in \u2062the November elections.<\/p>\n<p>State Senator Lamont Bagdy is currently the only declared candidate for the chair position, soon after Swecker&#8217;s \u200bdeclaration. He emphasizes the importance of \u2062unity for the party&#8217;s mission to retake leadership positions and confront what they view as extreme policies from Republicans.\u2062 Bagdy has garnered support from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-retain-new-mexico-house-seat-in-special-election\/\" title=\"... Retain New Mexico ... Seat in Special Election\">prominent party figures<\/a>,indicating a robust backing for his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>While Virginia Democrats hold majorities \u200bin both chambers \u200cof the state \u2064legislature, they are contending with a \u200dresurgent Republican Party, \u2063led by popular\u200c Governor Glenn Youngkin, which has gained \u200bground\u200b in\u200d recent \u200belections. The party\u2063 plans to leverage issues such as federal workforce reductions, heavily impacting Northern Virginia, as\u200b part of\u2063 their \u200ccampaign strategy in the looming elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Virginia Democrats set to pick new leader ahead of key elections<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1998738\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Virginia\">Virginia<\/a> Democrats are looking to generate momentum in the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2025-elections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">2025 statewide elections<\/a> after maintaining their majorities in the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-legislatures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">House and Senate<\/a>, but before November they must pick a leader to guide them through the looming campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Susan Swecker abruptly announced last month that she would be stepping down as chairwoman of the Virginia Democratic Party, a role she has held since 2015, once a new chair is elected. The party will elect her successor on March 22.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3336188\/campaigns-statewide-jobs-2026-likely-forgoing-2028-presidential-runs\/\">Campaigns for new statewide jobs in 2026 likely mean forgoing 2028 presidential runs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3339823\/doj-launches-antisemitism-probe-into-california-schools\/\">DOJ launches antisemitism investigation into California schools in sign of things to come<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3339305\/most-new-york-city-voters-want-ericadams-resign-cuomo-takes-primary-lead-poll\/\">Most New York City voters want Adams to resign as Cuomo takes commanding primary lead: Poll<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;As I step down, I do so with pride and confidence, knowing that our party is in capable hands. The solid foundation we&rsquo;ve laid will ensure Virginia remains a beacon of Democratic strength for generations to come,&rdquo; Swecker said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Only one candidate has publicly declared his candidacy, but NOTUS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.notus.org\/virginia\/virginia-democrats-chair-state-party\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"reports\">reports<\/a> that the party is aware of at least one other contender ahead of Saturday&rsquo;s deadline to file. The lone public candidate, state Sen. Lamont Bagdy, announced his bid shortly after Swecker said she would step down.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Now more than ever, we need to be united in our mission to retake the Governor&rsquo;s Mansion, expand our House majority, and push back on the extreme, chaotic agenda we are seeing in Washington,&rdquo; Bagdy, who chairs the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said in a post announcing his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>He has received endorsements from high-profile Democrats in the Old Dominion, including Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), state House Speaker Don Scott, state Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, among others.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">newly elected party chair<\/a> will lead Virginia Democrats into a campaign to reclaim all three statewide offices on the ballot in November: governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.<\/p>\n<p>After winning a trifecta in the commonwealth for the first time in decades in 2019, Democrats faced a bruising 2021 election in which they lost control of the state House and got swept by Republicans in statewide offices.<\/p>\n<p>The Virginia GOP, once thought to be on its way out, mounted a comeback led by popular Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) in the 2021 election, gaining ground across the commonwealth &mdash; a trend that continued into the 2024 presidential election.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3336574\/tight-virginia-gubernatorial-race-favors-republican-earle-sears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"TIGHT VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE &lsquo;FAVORS&rsquo; REPUBLICAN EARLE-SEARS\">TIGHT VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE &lsquo;FAVORS&rsquo; REPUBLICAN EARLE-SEARS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Democrats are still the stronger party in Virginia, holding majorities in both state houses, the next chair faces an opposition that appears to be gaining ground.<\/p>\n<p>Virginia Democrats have made President Donald Trump&rsquo;s downsizing of the federal workforce, which affects a significant portion of the northern part of the state, a key part of their campaign against Republicans. The matter could become a defining issue in the looming campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1998738\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1998738\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virginia Democrats to choose new leader before key elections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2411122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Virginia-Democratic-Party-Chairwoman.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3685,6571,50402,5468,32076],"class_list":["post-2411121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democrats","tag-elections","tag-leadership-2","tag-virginia","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Virginia-Democratic-Party-Chairwoman.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2411121"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2411125,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411121\/revisions\/2411125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2411122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2411121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2411121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2411121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}