The Party

Party Chair

Hon. C. Richard Cranwell, Chairman

Cranwell was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia on June 18, 2005.

Dick Cranwell grew up in a family of five in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, in the small town of Richlands. At the age of two, an accident took the vision in his left eye. In spite of this sight loss, Dick was an outstanding football player in high school, and won a football scholarship and lettered at Virginia Tech.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Cranwell earned his law degree from the University of Richmond in 1968 and returned to Southwest Virginia to practice law. Cranwell has specialized in representing injured workers and families in Western and Central Virginia.

Elected in 1971, Cranwell served for 30 years in the House of Delegates, representing Virginia's 14th District. He led Democrats in the House from 1992-2002, and was chairman of the House's powerful Finance Committee for a decade. Cranwell was widely considered the House's most brilliant legislative strategist of the last three decades. As the floor leader in the House of Delegates, Cranwell was known to be an effective advocate for issues important to Virginia: good schools, good roads, and good jobs.

Cranwell brings to public service his love of Virginia, his understanding of the challenges faced by working families, and his belief that a strong public education system offers the one chance most children have to make their dreams become a reality.

Cranwell is a member of Vinton's Chamber of Commerce and its Lions Club. He is married and has six children.

 

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