RICHMOND, Va. – (WTVR) Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia Saturday.
The vote was a formality as no one else decided to challenge Jones for the chairmanship and Jones had the support of most, if not all, the Democratic members of the Virginia General Assembly.
Virginia House of Delegates member Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), stepped down as party chair in order to run for the open congressional seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Jim Moran.
“I couldn’t be more honored to serve as the next chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia,” said Mayor Dwight Jones in an emailed statement to reporters. “Having been a Democrat my whole life, I have seen the party grow to what it is today, a party that fights for issues important to all Virginians, issues like access to affordable health care, making sure women receive equal pay for equal work, and fighting to ensure all Virginians are treated equally across the Commonwealth.”
Jones had to reassure some segments of the Democratic base during his campaign for chairman.
Jones met with concerned members of the General Assembly and also with members of the gay rights community. Those within the LGBT community were concerned with Jones’ stance on gay marriage. Jones, who previously stated he did not support gay marriage, recently stated that his stance is “evolving” on the issue.
The chairman is the head of the party and is the most visible face of the party.
Besides being the mayor Richmond, Jones is also the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
