Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker is stepping down from her position after serving as chair since 2015.
“As I step down, I do so with pride and confidence, knowing that our party is in capable hands,” she said Monday morning. “The solid foundation we’ve laid will ensure Virginia remains a beacon of Democratic strength for generations to come.”
Swecker oversaw the party as it experienced many ups and downs. In 2017, she led the party as it flipped 15 seats in the House of Delegates, nearly taking the majority. Democrat Ralph Northam also easily won the gubernatorial election that year.
In 2018, Democrats flipped three congressional seats, giving the party the majority in representation in Washington. D.C.
In 2019, Democrats flipped additional Republican-held seats in the House and two in the Senate, securing a majority in both chambers. With a Democratic governor in place, they were able to enact hundreds of pieces of progressive legislation across the commonwealth.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Swecker, however. She faced criticism in 2021 after all three statewide Republican nominees won their races, surprising some Democrats who hadn’t fully accounted for national trends following Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory. Republicans also took the House majority that year, though only for a brief period.
Democrats regained the majority in the House in 2023, creating a significant barrier against Gov. Glenn Youngkin and preventing him from enacting much of his agenda.
Anyone who has closely observed Virginia state politics can objectively recognize that the Democratic Party has a much larger staff apparatus than the Republican Party of Virginia.
Swecker said Monday that building this infrastructure was one of her goals.
“When I first ran for chair in 2015, I made a commitment to create a sustainable infrastructure that would outlast any single election cycle,” she said. “Over the past decade, we’ve achieved that vision—building a larger, more robust full-time staff, strengthening local committees, and establishing year-round programs focused on voter protection and training.”
Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe praised Swecker for her work in a statement following her announcement.
“Nearly a decade ago, I was proud to recommend Susan Swecker to be chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia,” he said. “I knew she would fight for our values, support the party in every corner of Virginia, and most importantly, keep a laser focus on electing Virginia Democrats at every level. She has done all of that and so much more in a truly history-making run as chair. She is a fighter, a winner, and to me and Dorothy…a lifelong friend.”
Democrats will meet on Feb. 20 to adopt rules of procedure for an election to be held March 22, 2025, to choose a new chair.