Government | Politics 2023: SCOTT A. SUROVELL

SENATOR, SENATE OF VIRGINIA, FAIRFAX COUNTY

Published August 30, 2023 by Virginia Business

A Democrat representing parts of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties, Surovell is one of several state senators who could land top leadership roles in next year’s General Assembly. A trial lawyer with degrees from the University of Virginia and James Madison University, Surovell won election to the House of Delegates in 2009 and then won his Senate seat in 2015. He got a taste of politics in 1993 as a governor’s fellow during Gov. Doug Wilder’s administration.

With Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw retiring, Surovell is a likely successor as Democratic caucus leader, as its current vice chairman. In November, Surovell faces GOP challenger Mark Springman, although Surovell is heavily favored to win. With Republicans having swept statewide elections in 2021, regaining majority control of the House of Delegates, the Senate is the only state body controlled by Democrats.   

Surovell was chief sponsor of legislation that repealed Virginia’s death penalty and has led efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice system. He serves on the Senate’s commerce and labor, judiciary, and transportation committees, among others.

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