Briana Sewell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sewell in 2024 | |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Hala Ayala |
| Constituency | 51st district (2022–2024) 25th district (2024–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1990 (age 35–36) Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Relatives | Terri Sewell (cousin) |
| Education | |
Briana D. Sewell (born 1990) is an American politician serving as a member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the25th district after serving the51st district from 2022–2024.[1] A member of theDemocratic Party, she was first elected in2021 to succeed retiring DemocratHala Ayala.[2] Sewell represents parts ofPrince William County, including the towns ofLake Ridge andNokesville.[3]
Sewell was born in 1990 inWoodbridge, Virginia. Both of her parents were members of theUnited States Air Force; at retirement, her father held the rank ofsenior master sergeant, while her mother attained the rank oflieutenant colonel. Her family was stationed inPanama for three years before moving toLake Ridge, Virginia.[citation needed]
Sewell earned aBachelor of Arts in public policy from theCollege of William & Mary. She later attendedAmerican University, where she earned aMaster of Public Administration.[4][better source needed]
Sewell began her career in politics as district director forU.S. RepresentativeGerry Connolly. In 2018, she established the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, an organization that advocates for paid parental leave, paid sick leaves, and affordable healthcare.[5][non-primary source needed] Before becoming a legislator, she served aschief of staff to Ann Wheeler, the chair of thePrince William Board of County Supervisors.[4][better source needed]
Sewell announced her candidacy for the 51st district in December 2020, shortly after incumbentHala Ayala announced her retirement to run forLieutenant Governor of Virginia.[6] She received multiple endorsements, including fromU.S. SenatorsTim Kaine andMark Warner, CongressmanGerry Connolly, and various state legislators, including Ayala herself.[7][better source needed] Sewell defeated her opponent,RepublicanU.S. Navy veteran Tim Cox, in the November 2021general election by a margin of around 6.9 percentage points.[8] She took office, along with the rest of the162nd Virginia General Assembly, on January 12, 2022.[9]
In November 2023, shortly after winningre-election to the redrawn25th district, Sewell announced her candidacy forVirginia's 7th congressional district. The incumbent Congresswoman,Abigail Spanberger, announced her intention to retire in order to run forGovernor of Virginia in2025, creating an open race for her seat.[14]
She would lose the Democratic primary toEugene Vindman, who would go on to win the election against Republican Derrick Anderson.[15]
She is the cousin ofTerri Sewell, aU.S. Representative fromAlabama.[16]
| Virginia House of Delegates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the51st district 2022–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the25th district 2024–present | Incumbent |
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