RICHMOND, Va. – Sources said Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones is stepping down as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. Sources told CBS 6 reporter Joe St. George that Jones made personal phone calls apprising top Democrats of his decision Wednesday afternoon.
Jones was elected as chairman of the party in March of 2014. That vote was a formality since no one challenged Jones for the chairmanship and Jones had the support of most, if not all, the Democratic members of the Virginia General Assembly.
Before Jones was elected, Virginia House of Delegates member Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), previously held the position. But she stepped down as party chair in order to run for the open congressional seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Jim Moran.
The chairman is the head of the party and is the most visible face of the party.
In addition to being the mayor of Richmond, Jones is also the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
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