Anne Holton, Wife of Clinton Running Mate Tim Kaine, Resigns Education Secretary Post

Anne Holton, wife of Hillary Clinton running mate Tim Kaine, has resigned her post as Virginia Education Secretary to focus on the presidential campaign, according to the Governor's Office.

Kaine, the junior senator from Virginia, was named by Clinton Friday as her running mate in the presidential campaign.

Holton is the daughter of former Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton, a Republican. After a federal court decision desegregating Richmond Public Schools, she and her siblings attended predominantly black schools near the Virginia Executive Mansion, where she held slumber parties when she was 12 years old.

Holton holds a law degree from Harvard, where she met Kaine. She served as a juvenile court judge in Richmond prior to becoming first lady of Virginia in 2006. Kaine and Holton have three children.

Holton resigned from her state government role effective Monday, the Governor's Office said.

“As Virginia’s Secretary of Education, Anne has been a tireless advocate on behalf of the students of the Commonwealth and an essential leader in securing historic investments in public education during the most recent General Assembly session," Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Tuesday in a news release about Holton's departure.

"During her tenure, Anne has been a constant and powerful voice for students, teachers and schools, and her lifelong dedication to serving Virginia’s young people, especially the children at the margins, has had a lasting impact in the Commonwealth," McAuliffe noted.

“Over the past two years, we have worked together to achieve significant accomplishments, including substantial investments in K-12 and higher education, innovative SOL reform, and life-changing work in some of Virginia’s most challenged school divisions," he said. "I wish Anne the very best, and I know she will take her passion for education to the national stage and continue to make the Commonwealth proud.”

McAuliffe Tuesday appointed Deputy Secretary of Education Dietra Trent to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Education, effective immediately.

“Dietra is goal-oriented and a natural problem-solver who is already a crucial member of our team, and I am excited to have her join my Cabinet,” McAuliffe said. “She is deeply committed to ensuring that all Virginians have access to an affordable education of the highest quality, and I know she will continue to be a strong voice for our young people.”

Trent has served as the Deputy Secretary of Education since 2014. She previously served as Deputy Secretary of Education in Governor Tim Kaine’s administration, and as Director of Constituent Services and Director of the Council on Human Rights under Governor Mark Warner.

Trent earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Hampton University, and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University.

PHOTO: Anne Holton, wife of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine/Patch archive photo by James Cullum