Virginia Democrats elect first female House Speaker

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Democratic delegates and delegates-elect met Saturday to elect caucus leadership after securing a 55-45 seat majority in the House of Delegates, according to a release by the House Democratic Caucus.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn became the first woman to be nominated by the caucus for Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. The House Democratic Caucus said in a release that Filler-Corn will also be the first Jewish Speaker.

The full House of Delegates will officially vote to confirm a new Speaker on the first day of the 2020 legislative session.

Del. Charniele Herring, who previously served as Caucus Chair, will become the first woman and the first African American to serve as Majority Leader for the House.

Del. Rip Sullivan will serve as Caucus Chair, Virginia House Dems said.

All three nominees are from Northern Virginia.

Governor Ralph Northam had these comments on the new elected slate of Democratic officers.

“Virginia made history again today. I just spoke with Eileen Filler-Corn, Charniele Herring, and Rip Sullivan and congratulated them on their historic new roles. Eileen Filler-Corn is the first woman Speaker of the House in Virginia’s history, and Charniele Herring is the House of Delegates’ first woman and first African-American Majority Leader. It is an honor to serve our Commonwealth with them.

“We all share a commitment to serving Virginians and advancing a more progressive and inclusive Commonwealth. Together, we will defend the rights of women and minority groups, increase access to a world-class education and health care, fight climate change, and pass commonsense gun safety legislation.”

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