Brian Moran Steps Down As Chair Of Virginia Democrats

Democrats in Virginia are about to get a change of leadership. Party chairman and former Virginia Del. Brian Moran has decided its time to step aside.

Moran has been chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia since late 2010. He led the party this year as it retained a U.S. Senate seat in a hotly contested race and helped deliver all 13 of the commonwealth's electoral votes to President Barack Obama. He will step aside, he announced this week, and he endorses Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) for the position.

"Virginia is a leaning left state, actually, not a leaning right state. So I think the voters are there," Moran said. "The issues that the Democrats care about, the voters care about. So it's just about making sure they have a good grassroots operation." 

Herring had a difficult life before entering politics. She was homeless for several months as a teenager. Since her election to the House of Delegates in 2009, she has quickly risen through the ranks and is currently a minority whip in the House. Former party chairman Kerry Donley believes Herring would make an excellent choice. 

"First off, it s always great to have someone from Northern Virginia and Alexandria," Donley said. "But I think it would also mark the first time we've had an African-American woman as the chair of the party." 

Herring represents the 46th House District, which Moran held until he resigned to launch a campaign for governor in late 2008.