Don Scott was inducted as Virginia’s first Black Speaker of the House of Delegates on Wednesday.
“My first immediate emotion is just gratitude, very grateful,” Scott mentioned Wednesday in his speech after being sworn in. “I know this is God’s favor. I know this is God’s grace, which is undeserved favor, and I’m grateful.”
It’s the primary time there’s been a Black speaker within the House’s 400-year-plus historical past. Scott was unanimously voted for speaker after Democrats received management of the Virginia legislature in 2023.
His story isn’t with out battles, although. In 1994, when Scott was in his third 12 months of regulation college, he was arrested on a drug cost and served eight years in jail.
“Damaged goods can sometimes turn out to be OK,” Scott mentioned on “CBS Mornings” Wednesday. “And we’re a lot more interesting than the people who followed all the rules and did everything perfect.”
After his launch, he opened his personal regulation agency and is now a associate at Breit Biniazan Trial Lawyers. He was elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates in 2019.
He turned emotional Wednesday throughout his speech as he thanked a number of folks, together with his mom, who raised six kids by herself, and his spouse, who Scott mentioned noticed him in another way than the world noticed him. “She looked at me and saw her aspiration, her husband, a friend, a confidant,” Scott mentioned. “Thank you. Thank you. When I was at my lowest, you looked at me. And you saw me exactly where I’m standing right now. Thank you.”
Scott has promised to work on defending abortion rights, homosexual marriage, elevating the minimal wage and restoring voting rights for felons who’ve fulfilled their penalties, based on Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Scott was met with a number of standing ovations Wednesday as he promised to work with each Republicans and Democrats on key points and permit debate and “promote civility” as greatest he can.
“I would just not be the speaker to the Democrats, and I will not just be the opponent of the Republicans, but I will be the speaker of the House of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, mentioned in an announcement that Scott’s induction is a “watershed moment” for the state.
“The unanimous support from his colleagues speaks volumes about his character, work ethic, and the respect he’s garnered as minority leader,” Williams mentioned. “I am confident that Speaker Scott will guide the Virginia House of Delegates with distinction as they address pressing issues for Virginians, from protecting abortion access to raising the minimum wage.”
