After the announcement that C. Richard Dickie Cranwell is stepping down as Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia speculation on his replacement immediately began.
There was a rumor last year that the Vinton attorney would step down but he was asked to stay on for at least another year. In a phone conversation at that time Cranwell said he would have been willing to step aside for someone else.
Brian Moran was being whispered then as Cranwell’s replacement.
Delegate Brian Moran represented parts of Fairfax and Alexandria before stepping down to run as a candidate in the Democratic primary for governor. He came in third behind Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe. Moran’s older brother is Jim Moran, a U.S. Congressman from Virginia’s 8th district.
It remains to be seen if Moran is still interested in the spot. A lot can change in a year. An update from RSS News Partner WSLS10 confirms Moran as first choice.
Cranwell, the former House Leader became Virginia’s Democratic chair June 18, 2005.
Terry McAuliffe’s statement on the Resignation of DPVA Chairman Dick Cranwell
“I would like to thank Dick Cranwell for his 39 years of public service to Virginia and the Democratic Party. For the past five years, Dick has succeeded in making the DPVA one of the top state parties in the country. His leadership helped us elect Tim Kaine Governor in 2005, Jim Webb to the US Senate in 2006, take back the Virginia Senate in 2007, and elect Mark Warner to the US Senate in 2008. Additionally, Dick’s leadership helped Virginia elect President Barack Obama in 2008 – the first time we elected a Democrat in 44 years.
During Dick’s tenure he brought in a permanent professional staff that worked hand-in-hand with campaigns and purchased a facility to serve as the long term home for the state party operations.
As the former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, I can relate to the time such a position as state party chair can keep you from your family. I am sure that his wife Elizabeth and their two sons Joe and Jack are happy he’ll be home more often, but Virginia Democrats will miss his strong leadership.”