Va. Democratic Party chair to depart in March

Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker announced Monday she’s stepping down after a decade in the position.

Swecker has served as chairwoman since March 2015 and said that her 10 years in the role has been “both an honor and a privilege.”

“After our strong victories in Virginia this past November, I believe the time is right to pass the torch to a new leader who can continue to build on our successes and further strengthen our party,” Swecker said in a statement.

Swecker said that when she ran for chair back in 2015, she wanted to help the state’s Democratic party grow and maintain a strong infrastructure that would be sustainable.  She said the party has successfully done so with a larger full-time staff, stronger local committees and established year-round programs focused on voter protection and training.

“Susan Swecker has done important, difficult and often thankless work shepherding DPVA through some pretty eventful years,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said on X. “She’ll leave behind an organization that is stronger and more effective thanks to her service.”

Although President Donald Trump was reelected with the popular and electoral vote nationally, in Virginia, more than 51% of voters supported the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. Statewide during Swecker’s tenure, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam was elected in 2017, and the party won control of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate in 2019, leading to progressive legislation’s passage in Virginia in 2020 and 2021, including the legalization of marijuana, the end of the state’s death penalty and the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who served as chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005, said on X that he recommended Swecker to be chair of the party nearly a decade ago.

“I knew she would fight for our values, support the party in every corner of VA, and most importantly, keep a laser focus on electing VA Democrats at every level,” he said. “She has done all of that and so much more in a truly-history making run as chair.”

She will vacate the position after the party elects a new chair in March. The Democratic Party of Virginia Steering Committee will meet on Feb. 20 to adopt rules of procedure for an election to replace Swecker on March 22.

“As I step down, I do so with pride and confidence, knowing that our party is in capable hands,” Swecker said in a statement. “The solid foundation we’ve laid will ensure Virginia remains a beacon of Democratic strength for generations to come.”