Don Scott becomes first Black speaker in Virginia Legislature’s 400-year history

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Democrat Don Scott made history Wednesday (Jan. 10th), after the Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected him as house speaker.

The vote makes him the first Black speaker in the Virginia House of Delegates’ 400-year history.

Del. Don Scott speaks on making history

“My first immediate emotion is just gratitude. I’m very grateful,” said Scott, overcome with emotion.

“The historic nature of this moment is not lost on me,” he told the House.

His political path

Scott’s path in politics is inspiring.

After serving as an officer in the Navy and while in his third year of law school, Scott spent nearly eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty in a drug conspiracy case.

“I made the dreadful mistake of going to pick up some money, some drug money,” said Scott, who noted that he had never been in any trouble before.

After being released from prison, Scott went on to finish his law degree and opened a law practice.

He was then elected to the Virginia legislature, serving as minority leader since 2022, before gaining his party’s backing for the chamber’s top post.

The historic swearing in took place in Richmond, once the capital of the confederacy and the city that just two years ago removed its last city-owned confederate statue.

What a full circle moment.

“We’re only a few miles from where the first slaves came into this country in 1619,” Scott said in an interview with CBS.

“Now 405 years later, you have your first Black speaker. So I’m very cognizant of the shoulders that I stand on.”

“I take it very seriously. And I’m humbled and I’m, I’m grateful for the opportunity.”