Cranwell to step down as DPVA chair

C. Richard Cranwell, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, announced today that he is stepping down.

As you may know, I have been involved with politics in Virginia for the last 39 years. I have seen our party at its low and high points. I have had the privilege of serving in both the House of Delegates and as your party Chair. In my 39 years, I have gotten to know committed Democrats all across the Commonwealth and have been consistently heartened and reenergized by the level of work and commitment you show the DPVA.

We have achieved a lot since I was elected in June, 2005. We’ve won three statewide elections, took back the State Senate, and brought about the historic 2008 election in which Virginia pushed Barack Obama over the top and sent Mark Warner to the United States Senate. These were some of the highs.  We went through a tough election last year which was certainly one of the lows. However, I am confident that the party is stronger than we were just 5 years ago and I see the momentum in this election shifting our way.

I value the friendships of 39 years and I value all the hard work by so many people to elect great Democrats.  However, I will be stepping aside as party Chair in December to spend more time with Elizabeth and my two sons, Jack, 13 and Joe, 11.  I am not, nor could I ever, retire from the political arena; after December it will just be as a foot soldier, not a party officer.

We still have a lot of work to do to make sure we hold our Democratic majority in the Congressional delegation so we all need to keep working hard!

I want to sincerely thank you for all you do for the Democratic Party,

Dick Cranwell
Chairman
Democratic Party of Virginia

I’d like to thank Chairman Cranwell for his service to the DPVA. I understand that the vote to elect a new chairman will take place on December 3. The party plan requires a 30-day notice, which would mean November 3, the day after the election. So this notice is just a little early.

Already, talk is swirling as to who will replace Cranwell. I know who I’d like to see, but as I’m not a member of state central, who I’d want doesn’t really matter. In any event, we need a strong person with knowledge of the party operations. With elections next year – and all 140 seats up – I doubt if any of the current members of the General Assembly will be able to serve. I’m sure whomever the party chooses will serve us well.