Spanberger Names Del. Candi King To Secretary Of Commonwealth Role

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A Prince William County delegate who was re-elected in November was appointed Wednesday to a key role in Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger's administration. That would mean a special election to fill the House of Delegates seat.

Del. Candi Mundon King, who represents part of Prince William and Stafford counties in the 23rd House District, was appointed the next secretary of the commonwealth. That role includes assisting the governor with various functions, such as facilitating appointments, processing and reviewing pardon petitions, managing extradition requests, managing restorations of rights, serving as liaison to recognized Indian tribes and more.

"The Secretary of the Commonwealth plays a vital role in ensuring that the Office of the Governor is responsive to the needs of Virginians, and I’m proud to announce the appointment of Delegate Candi Mundon King to serve in this role," said Spanberger in a statement. "Throughout her career, Delegate Mundon King has worked to bring people together to get results for the people of Virginia, and she has demonstrated dedication, courage, and a commitment to delivering on the promise of our Commonwealth."

"I am deeply honored by Governor-elect Spanberger’s nomination to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth," added Mundon King in a statement. "Throughout my career, I have been committed to improving government accessibility and ensuring our institutions work effectively for every community. I will bring that same dedication to managing the critical functions of this office while enhancing the delivery of constituent services."

Mundon King has represented the 23rd House District since 2021, chairs the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns, is vice chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee, and is a member of the House Finance and Labor and Commerce Committees. According to the governor's office, Mundon King's legislative work has included obtaining pay raises for teachers, protecting human trafficking victims, providing paid sick leave for home health care workers, protecting renters from unauthorized home access and securing passage of the Virginia MOMnibus to transform maternal health care. She also founded the Sickle Cell Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus and has served on the Virginia Employment Commission and the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation.

Before serving in the House of Delegates, Mundon King was deputy director of poverty-fighting nonprofit CARE and worked at the Gates Foundation. She started her career as a legislative assistant advocating for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Outside of government work, Mundon King has been a Girl Scouts troop leader, volunteer colorguard coach and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A Portsmouth native, Mundon King has a bachelor's degree in political science from Norfolk State University and lives in Dumfries with her family. In October, her 15-year-old daughter Candis King died after a sickle cell battle.

Mundon King's appointment would mean a special election will be scheduled to fill the Virginia 23rd House District seat. There were no immediate details on a special election, as the delegate's appointment was newly announced on Wednesday.