Since the November 4, 2025 election in Virginia, there have been several changes to the composition of the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, along with key appointments within the executive branch. These transitions, driven by special elections, cabinet appointments, and leadership changes, are reshaping the policy environment as the 2026 General Assembly session begins.
Senator Ghazala Hashmi resigned her seat following her successful election as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, prompting a special election to fill Senate District 15. In the House of Delegates, Delegates David Bulova, Candi Mundon King, and Mark Sickles were appointed to roles within Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration, creating additional vacancies. All resulting special elections are expected to maintain Democratic representation.
Additionally, State Senator Adam Ebbin has announced his resignation effective February 18, 2026. A special election for his seat is scheduled for February 10, 2026, and if a sitting Delegate prevails, an additional House special election may follow.
Below is an overview of the new legislators and key administration leaders who will soon be playing important roles in Virginia’s policymaking landscape.
Mike Jones – D, Senate District 15
(Elected 1/6/26)
Delegate Mike Jones, currently representing House District 77, won the Democratic
nomination for the Senate District 15 special election triggered by Lt. Gov.–elect Ghazala Hashmi’s resignation. A former Richmond City Council President and longtime pastor, Jones has built a reputation for community driven leadership, championing initiatives on public safety, economic equity, and affordable living. First elected to the House in 2023, he is widely regarded by party leaders as a steady, solutions focused policymaker committed to lowering costs for families and strengthening neighborhoods across Richmond and Chesterfield.
Filling: Seat formerly held by Lt. Gov.–Elect Ghazala Hashmi (Senate District 15)
Gretchen Bulova – D, House District 11
(Election 1/13/26)
Gretchen Bulova secured the Democratic nomination to succeed her husband, David
Bulova, in House District 11. She serves as Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria and longtime Fairfax County civic leader. A respected public history professional, she oversees the city’s museums, archaeological programs, and cultural archives. She also chairs the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s History Commission, reflecting her deep involvement in civic engagement and local heritage preservation. Her campaign emphasized affordability, strengthening public schools, and protecting constitutional rights including voting access and equality.
Filling: Seat vacated by Delegate David Bulova (appointed Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources)
Margaret Franklin – D, House District 23
(Election 1/13/26)
Prince William County Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin, a trailblazing local leader
first elected in 2019, , is filling the vacancy created by Del. Candi Mundon King’s appointment to the governor’s cabinet. Franklin has served as Vice Chair of the Board of County Supervisors and chaired major regional bodies including the VRE Operations Board and PRTC/OmniRide. Her record includes advancing affordable housing, public safety programs, child protection initiatives, transportation improvements, and economic development efforts. Known for bringing tangible results to working families, Franklin’s campaign stressed affordability, safer communities, and stronger regional infrastructure in Prince William and Stafford counties.
Filling: Seat vacated by Delegate Candi Mundon King (appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth)
Charlie Schmidt – D, House District 77
(Election 1/6/26)
Charlie Schmidt, a former attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
and dedicated community activist, won the Democratic nomination to succeed Del. Mike Jones in House District 77. Schmidt’s career centers on civil rights litigation, environmental justice advocacy, small business support, and immigrant protection work. In the firehouse primary, he emphasized a proactive agenda addressing the rising cost of living, school underfunding, clean air and clean water protections, and the need for responsive government that prioritizes working families. He is known for his progressive orientation and strong legal background.
Filling: Seat vacated by Delegate Mike Jones (running for Senate District 15)
Garrett McGuire – D, House District 17
(Election 1/20/26)
Garrett McGuire, a public policy professional and community advocate,
overwhelmingly won the Democratic firehouse primary to become the nominee for House District 17. A former chair of the United Community nonprofit and of the Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board, McGuire has extensive experience working alongside families facing economic hardship, housing instability, and mental health challenges. His platform focuses on strengthening schools, advancing economic growth, and reducing costs for families — priorities that align with the legacy of outgoing Delegate Mark Sickles, who represented the district for more than two decades.
Filling: Seat vacated by Delegate Mark Sickles (appointed Secretary of Finance)
Meet the Staff Appointees (as of 1/8): Virginia Administration Officials (2026)
Incoming Chief of Staff: Bonnie Krenz-Schnurman
Bonnie Krenz-Schnurman will serve as Chief of Staff to Governor-elect Abigail
Spanberger, bringing more than seven years of experience working with Spanberger including over five years as her Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District. Prior to that role, Krenz-Schnurman served as a Senior Policy Advisor on energy and climate change at the White House Domestic Policy Council during the Obama administration, managed a nationwide malaria program for the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Tanzania, and worked as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group. She holds a BS in Economics from MIT and a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and resides in Chesterfield with her family.
Transition Team Co-Chair: Samson Signori
Samson Signori has been named a Co-Chair of Governor-elect Spanberger’s “United
for Virginia’s Future” transition team. Signori served as the Campaign Manager for Spanberger’s successful gubernatorial campaign and previously managed her 2022 reelection campaign for Congress, bringing deep campaign and strategy experience to the transition. He is based in Richmond and is originally from McLean in Fairfax County.
Transition Director / Incoming Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations: Karen Mask
Karen Mask was appointed Transition Director for Governor-elect Spanberger and will
serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations after the inauguration. Mask has extensive experience working with Spanberger dating back to her role as Field Director during Spanberger’s first congressional campaign and as District Director for the congresswoman during her early terms. She has also worked in state government as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Virginia Department of Health and led the K-12 pandemic response as Special Projects Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Education. Mask’s earlier career includes senior leadership in operations and pediatric clinical research at organizations including Toys “R” Us, the CDC, Emory University School of Medicine, and Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Florida and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (University of Central Florida) and Nursing (Arizona State University), and lives in Chesterfield with her family.
Policy Director: Rebecca Eichmann 
Rebecca Eichmann was named Policy Director in Spanberger’s Senior Staff team. With extensive experience from Capitol Hill, she has held roles as legislative director and deputy policy director in Washington, D.C., and served on Spanberger’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign. Eichmann will lead the development and coordination of policy strategies across the administration.
Legislative Director: Gerica Goodman
Gerica Goodman, appointed as Legislative Director, brings public policy leadership from her roles at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and prior work in both Richmond and D.C. She will manage legislative relations and engagement on behalf of the Governor’s office.
Counsel to the Governor: Matt McGuire 
Matt McGuire, a Richmond based litigator and former Principal Deputy Solicitor General under Attorney General Mark Herring, was appointed as Counsel to the Governor. He brings broad experience in public interest law, private practice, and international and technology litigation, and will advise on the administration’s legal strategy and compliance.
Chief Diversity Officer: Dr. Sesha Joi Moon
Dr. Sesha Joi Moon will serve as Virginia’s Chief Diversity Officer and Director of DEI. With over 20 years of leadership including roles as Chief Diversity Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Commerce Department, and Chief Impact Officer at Girl Scouts USA, Moon brings deep experience in advancing equity in government, education, and nonprofit organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration & Policy and a BA/MS from VCU.
Additional Appointments
Administration
- Steven Klosky — Commissioner, Department of Elections
- Angie Tevelde — Director, Department of General Services
- Matthew Weinstein— Deputy Secretary
- Mylam Ly, Assistant — Secretary
Agriculture & Forestry
- Benjamin Lowe — Deputy Secretary
- Caroline Buscaglia — Assistant Secretary
- Charles Green — Commissioner, Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
- Terrance Lasker — State Forester
- Crafton Wilkes — Administrator, Milk Commission
Commonwealth
- Andrea Valverde — Deputy Secretary
Finance
- James Lee — Deputy Secretary
- Kristen Collins — Tax Commissioner
- Michael Maul — Director, Planning & Budget
- David Richardson — State Treasurer
- Sharon Lawrence — State Comptroller, Department of Accounts
Health & Human Resources
- Toni Blue — Deputy Secretary
- Lauren Walker — Deputy Secretary
- Dr. Duke Storen — Commissioner, Social Services
- Daryl Washington — Commissioner, Behavioral Health & Developmental Services
- Dr. Alyssa Ward — Chief Deputy Commissioner, DBHDS
- Dr. Cameron Webb — Commissioner, Health
Labor
- James Frederick — Commissioner, Labor & Industry
Office of the Governor
- Davis Jamison — Deputy Legislative Director
- Eva Moore — Deputy Legislative Director
- Landis Foley — Director of Strategic Engagement
- Marc Rabourn — Director of Local Government Engagement
- Ty Bridge — Director of the Executive Mansion
- Libby Wiet — Communications Director
- Rachel Lawless — Director of Scheduling
- Kelly Johnson — Deputy Policy Director
- Jessica Samuels — Deputy Counsel
Natural and Historic Resources
- Adrienne Kotula — Deputy Secretary
Public Safety & Homeland Security
- Jacquelyn Katson — Deputy Secretary
- Dillon Taylor — Deputy Secretary
- Brad Creasy — Executive Director, Fire Programs
- Jeffrey Katz — Superintendent, State Police
- John Scrivani — State Coordinator, Emergency Management
Transportation
- Stephen Brich — Commissioner, Transportation
- Gregory Campbell — Director, Aviation
- Marissa Zimmerman — Director, Rail & Public Transportation
Veterans & Defense Affairs
- Lesley Kipling — Deputy Secretary
- John Maxwell — Commissioner, Veterans Services
- James Ring — Adjutant General, Military Affairs
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