Democratic Party of Virginia chairman stepping down - Roanoke Times
Hawley, a spokeswoman for Jones, said Jones will not address his decision publicly until Friday, when he is scheduled to speak with party leaders at their retreat at The Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center in Henrico County. Sources within the Democratic Party and at City Hall stressed that Jones is not being forced out. They also said that as a prominent public figure, Jones feels he could be more involved in other areas without having to mind the day-to-day operation during what promises to be an active year for the party. An immediate successor to Jones has not been chosen, according to two Democratic Party sources familiar with the pending change. But Susan Swecker, a longtime state Democratic operative, is said to be among those who could be under consideration for the post, which will play a pivotal role in this year’s upcoming state legislative elections and the 2016 presidential campaign. And with Virginia firmly established as a pivotal swing state in the 2016 presidential election, McAuliffe will want to have the party ready to maximize the candidacy of its likely nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Swecker, a key Virginia backer of Clinton in her 2008 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, remains a Clinton supporter. Source: www.roanoke.com
