Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, as Virginia’s next secretary of the commonwealth, a move that will require her to resign from the House of Delegates and trigger a special election in her district.
“The Secretary of the Commonwealth plays a vital role in ensuring that the Office of the Governor is responsive to the needs of Virginians, and I’m proud to announce the appointment of Delegate Candi Mundon King to serve in this role,” Spanberger said.
Mundon King, first elected to the House in 2021 to represent parts of Prince William and Stafford Counties, currently chairs the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns, serves as Vice Chair of Public Safety, and sits on the Labor and Commerce Committee.
She has been involved in passing the Virginia MOMnibus, which reformed maternal healthcare, and founded the Sickle Cell Caucus and Black Maternal Health Caucus. (RELATED: Virginia Approves Controversial Gas Plant for AI Power Increases)
“Throughout her career, Delegate Mundon King has worked to bring people together to get results for the people of Virginia, and she has demonstrated dedication, courage, and a commitment to delivering on the promise of our commonwealth,” Spanberger said.
Mundon King has professional experience in philanthropy, advocacy, and public policy, including roles at CARE and the Gates Foundation, where she focused on community relations and advocacy strategy. While her background is notable, some analysts question whether her primarily advocacy-driven experience translates into managing the administrative and operational demands of a high-level Cabinet position.
“I am deeply honored by Governor-elect Spanberger’s nomination to serve as secretary of the commonwealth,” Mundon King said. “Throughout my career, I have been committed to improving government accessibility and ensuring our institutions work effectively for every community. I will bring that same dedication to managing the critical functions of this office while enhancing the delivery of constituent services.”
Mundon King, reelected last month by a margin of more than 50 points, will vacate her House seat, creating both a leadership gap in her district and a potential test of whether her experience in advocacy and legislative work will be enough to handle the administrative pressures of a Cabinet post.