State Sen. Scott Surovell Named Democratic Majority Leader

MOUNT VERNON, VA — State Sen. Scott Surovell, who was recently re-elected in the 34th Senate District, was chosen by Democrats as the new Virginia Senate Majority leader.

Surovell (D-Fairfax) will replace the retiring state Sen. Richard "Dick" Saslaw, a Democrat who has served as majority/minority leader since 1996, according to the Washington Post.

"Thank you to @VASenateDems for entrusting me in the role as the next Majority Leader. No one can fill @DickSaslaw’s shoes but I will work hard everyday to protect our majority and pass progressive legislation to benefit Virginians," Surovell shared in a tweet.

Surovell had won the Democratic leadership position over state Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), who the Virginia NAACP and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus had endorsed to become Virginia's first Black Senate majority leader. Locke will continue to be the Senate Democrats' caucus chair. Meanwhile, Democratic Del. Don Scott (D-Norfolk) will become the first Black House speaker.

Republicans also had a retiring minority leader, state Sen. Thomas Norment Jr. The new minority leader will be Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover).

Democrats had retained Virginia Senate control and won party control of the Virginia House of Delegates. The Democrats' majority in the Senate is 21-19, while Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears can provide a tie-breaking vote in cases of ties.

Surovell had won re-election against Republican Mark Springman with 69.75 percent of the vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Surovell's 34th Senate District includes communities in Fairfax County's Richmond Highway corridor like Mount Vernon, Fort Hunt, Belle Haven, Hybla Valley, Fort Belvoir, Groveton and Huntington as well as surrounding areas like Lorton, Kingstowne, Franconia and Rose Hill.

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