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Don Scott (Virginia)

From Ballotpedia
Don Scott
Image of Don Scott
Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Tenure

2024 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

1

Predecessor
Prior offices
Virginia House of Delegates District 80

Compensation

Base salary

$17,640/year

Per diem

$213/day

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Texas A&M University, 1987

Law

Louisiana State University, 1994

Personal
Birthplace
Houston, Texas
Religion
Episcopalian
Profession
Attorney
Contact

Don Scott (Democratic Party) is a member of theVirginia House of Delegates, representingDistrict 88. He assumed office on January 10, 2024.

Scott becamespeaker of theVirginia House of Delegates on January 10, 2024.[1] He is the first black speaker in Virginia's history.[1]

Scott was born inHouston, Texas, in 1965.[2][3] After receiving a bachelor's degree in agriculture education from Texas A&M University in 1987, Scott served in the U.S. Navy from 1988 to 1991.[2] During his military service, Scott decided to pursue a legal career after serving as a legal officer on the USS John Hancock.[4] In 1994, Scott received a J.D. from Louisiana State University.[2]

In 2005, Scott began working at the workforce development company KRA Corporation and relocated toPortsmouth, Virginia.[5] Ten years later, Scott passed the Virginia Bar Exam and founded the Law Office of Don Scott, PLLC.[4] In 2022, Scott joined Breit Biniazan, P.C. as a partner.[6]

In2019, Scott was elected to representDistrict 80 in the state House after defeatingJim Evans (R) 66% to 23%. During his campaign, Scott's platform focused on expanding access to healthcare, raising the minimum wage, and improving education.[7] After voters re-elected him to represent the district in2021 by a margin of 32 percentage points, redistricting moved him toDistrict 88 in2023.

As a result of the 2021 general elections, Democrats lost control of the state House. In response, Scott helped organize a vote to remove Rep.Eileen Filler-Corn (D) as the chamber'sminority leader.[8] State House Democrats ultimately elected Scott as minority leader on June 1, 2022.[9]

After Democrats regained control of the state House following the 2023 general elections, the chamber's Democrats elected Scott to serve as speaker of the state House.[1] On his legacy as speaker, Scott said, "I want to be remembered for the person that was the first African-American [speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates], but I was also efficient, excellent, capable and got the job done."[10]

According to his campaign website, Scott's legislative priorities during his tenure included "strengthening Virginia's public schools, improving healthcare quality and affordability, and criminal justice reform."[5] Scott said the latter is informed by his own experience of being convicted of a drug offense in 1994 after police arrested him while he was carrying money that was tied to a drug dealer.[11] Following his conviction, Scott was incarcerated in a federal prison for approximately eight years.[11] In 2013, Scott successfully petitioned Virginia Gov.Robert McDonnell (R) to restore hisvoting rights.[12] In 2025, PresidentJoe Biden (D) issued apardon for Scott.[13]

Biography

Don Scott was born inHouston, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M University in 1987 and aJ.D. from Louisiana State University in 1994. His career experience includes working as an attorney.[14]

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Scott was assigned to the following committees:

2020-2021

Scott was assigned to the following committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2025

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88

IncumbentDon Scott won election in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Don Scott
Don Scott (D)
 
94.1
 
21,345
 Other/Write-in votes
 
5.9
 
1,348

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. Source

Total votes: 22,693
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. IncumbentDon Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Scott received the following endorsements.

2023

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2023

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88

IncumbentDon Scott defeatedJim Wright in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 7, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Don Scott
Don Scott (D)
 
66.3
 
12,240
Jim Wright (R)
 
33.3
 
6,145
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
66

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,451
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. IncumbentDon Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled.Jim Wright advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88.

Endorsements

Scott received the following endorsements.

2021

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 80

IncumbentDon Scott defeatedDeanna Stanton in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 80 on November 2, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Don Scott
Don Scott (D)
 
66.1
 
15,703
Deanna Stanton (R)
 
33.7
 
8,012
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
51

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 23,766
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. IncumbentDon Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 80.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled.Deanna Stanton advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 80.

Campaign finance

2019

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 80

Don Scott defeatedJim Evans andRyan Collin Benton in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 80 on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Don Scott
Don Scott (D)
 
66.0
 
12,027
Jim Evans (R)
 
23.2
 
4,236
Ryan Collin Benton (Independent)
 
10.6
 
1,930
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
27

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,220
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Don Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2023

Don Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

Don Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

Don Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia LogoNote: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Don Scott campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2023Virginia House of Delegates District 88Won general$2,752,974 $2,718,930
2021Virginia House of Delegates District 80Won general$275,969 $173,296
Grand total$3,028,943 $2,892,226
Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Scorecards

See also:State legislative scorecards andState legislative scorecards in Virginia

Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Virginia scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.


2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].   

In 2024, theVirginia State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 9. Special sessions occurred May 13, 2024; June 18 to July 1; and July 18, 2024.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes "on a variety of bills impacting equity, safety, access, and overall well being for LGBTQ+ Virginians."
Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the manufacturing sector.


2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].   

In 2023, theVirginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to February 25.

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the manufacturing sector.


2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].   

In 2022, theVirginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12.

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the manufacturing sector.


2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].   

In 2021, theVirginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 to February 8.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the organization chose to evaluate.
Legislators are scored based on their voting record on reproductive issues.
Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored by the Family Foundation on their votes on bills related to "principles of life, marriage, parental authority, constitutional government and religious liberty."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.


2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].   

In 2020, theVirginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 12. A special session was held from August 18 to November 9.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored by the Family Foundation on their votes on bills related to "principles of life, marriage, parental authority, constitutional government and religious liberty."
Legislators are scored based on their voting record on reproductive issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the climate and energy.
Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental and conservation issues.






See also


External links

Candidate

Virginia House of Delegates District 88

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    • Footnotes

    1. ↑1.01.11.2CBS News, "Don Scott, sworn in as first Black speaker of Virginia's House of Delegates, was once a federal prison inmate," January 10, 2024
    2. ↑2.02.12.2Virginia General Assembly, "Delegate Don Scott," accessed May 6, 2025
    3. ↑X, "@VaBlackCaucus on March 5, 2023," accessed May 6, 2025
    4. ↑4.04.1Breit Biniazan, P.C., "Don Scott," accessed May 6, 2025
    5. ↑5.05.1Don Scott Campaign Website, "About," accessed May 6, 2025
    6. ↑LinkedIn, "Don Scott," accessed May 6, 2025
    7. ↑WAVY, "Candidate Profile: Don Scott (District 80)," October 14, 2021
    8. ↑Associated Press, "Virginia House Democrats vote to remove their leader," April 27, 2022
    9. ↑Virginia Mercury, "Va. House Democrats pick Scott as new minority leader," June 1, 2022
    10. ↑Axios, "Don Scott, Virginia’s first Black House speaker, on Youngkin, Trump and history," January 12, 2024
    11. ↑11.011.1The Virginian-Pilot, "Before he was a prominent attorney in Portsmouth, Don Scott spent 7 years in federal prison," January 19, 2025
    12. ↑The Washington Post, "As Don Scott becomes Va. speaker, emotion and an unexpected guest," January 10, 2024
    13. ↑The Washington Post, "Virginia House Speaker Don Scott receives pardon from President Biden," January 19, 2025
    14. ↑Virginia General Assembly, "Delegate Don Scott," accessed January 8, 2024

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Phillip Scott (R)    		Virginia House of Delegates District 88
    2024-Present    		Succeeded by
    -
    Preceded by
    -    		Virginia House of Delegates District 80
    2020-2024    		Succeeded by
    Destiny LeVere Bolling (D)


    Current members of theVirginia House of Delegates
    Leadership
    Speaker of the House:Don Scott
    Majority Leader:Charniele Herring
    Minority Leader:Terry Kilgore
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    District 3
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    District 6
    District 7
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    District 33
    Vacant
    District 34
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    District 36
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    District 38
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    District 50
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    District 79
    District 80
    District 81
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    District 86
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    District 88
    District 89
    District 90
    District 91
    District 92
    District 93
    District 94
    District 95
    District 96
    District 97
    District 98
    District 99
    District 100
    Democratic Party (51)
    Republican Party (48)
    Vacancies (1)


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