Virginia Democrats Are Looking for a New Face to Lead the State Party

An election to replace outgoing Chair Susan Swecker, who announced she will step down after a replacement is picked, is set to be held next month.

Susan Swecker

Nathan Howard/AP

Virginia Democrats are about to elect a new party chair for the first time in a decade, and — much like the broader national party — many of them are looking forward to a shakeup in leadership.

Chair Susan Swecker announced an early retirement earlier this month, leaving a vacuum in party leadership at a critical moment as Democrats try to win back the governor’s mansion. Many Democrats have quickly lined up behind a candidate to finish out Swecker’s term, and they’re eager to see what a new chair might do for the party.

Democrats praised Swecker, but they acknowledged how crucial it is to have solid leadership in place at this moment, given the key role the state party plays in helping Democrats win elections.