by Douglas Domenech

I was surprised when I received the email:

“On behalf of Governor Abigail D. Spanberger, thank you for giving your time and expertise to serve our Commonwealth as a member of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.”

The email from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Candi Mundon King, went on to say:

“As your term is now complete, please know your contribution to this board has been an essential part of our effort to make Virginia, stronger, safer, and affordable for all Virginians.”

Funny thing is, my appointment was to a term ending in 2029, so it was not “complete.” But it was her language for, “You’re Fired”!

Serving the Commonwealth is a great honor. In the past, I have been confirmed by the Virginia General Assembly for board appointments in the Allen, Gilmore, and Youngkin Administrations. And I was confirmed by the General Assembly during the McDonnell Administration to serve on his Cabinet as Secretary of Natural Resources.

Apparently, my service to the Commonwealth was not good enough for the Democrats now in charge in the General Assembly, since this action was taken on a party-line vote.

It’s important to note that it is unclear how involved Governor Spanberger’s office was in this process since the process of not confirming these appointments is strictly in the hands of the General Assembly.

On February 10 the Richmond Times Dispatch ran a piece titled, “Full list of Youngkin board appointments being blocked.” It listed 41 names, but that’s less than half of the total list of 106 appointments “struck” from the confirmation bills (SJ69, SJ70, SJ71, SJ72, SJ73, and SJ74).

So Who Are These People?

These are citizen-servants willing to give of their time, without pay, to improve the Commonwealth. Good people. Taxpayers. Many experts in their field. Carefully selected by the previous administration. You wonder what did we do that was so egregious to cut short our service.

There were a number of interesting people who were among those whose appointments were not confirmed.

Former Cabinet Members/Senior Staff
James Dyke, Wilder Secretary of Education
Kelly Gee, Youngkin Secretary of the Commonwealth
Juan Pablo Segura, Youngkin Secretary of Commerce and Trade*
Douglas Domenech, McDonnell Secretary of Natural Resources
Parker Slaybaugh, Youngkin Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Anthony Moore, McDonnell Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources
Brook Trible, Youngkin Assistant Secretary, Secretary of the Commonwealth

* Note: Juan Pablo Segura was appointed by Governor Youngkin as the Secretary of Commerce and Trade in March 2025, succeeding Caren Merrick. Segura previously served as the Chief Deputy Secretary. If he was not confirmed by the General Assembly, does that negate every action he signed?

Notable Democrats
Chap Petersen, Former Delegate/Senator
Sam Parham, Mayor of Petersburg

Notable Republicans
Eric Cantor, Former Congressman, Former House Majority Leader of the US Congress
Jeff Ryer, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman

Business / Community Leaders
Andy Florence, CEO of Costar
Kevin Hubbard, CEO of Rhoback
Bouwein Smits, VP & General Manager of CivicaRX
Kathy Gorman, former EVP/COO Children’s National Hospital
Crystal Cline, Front Royal Sheriff
Tom Bates, Former Chairman, Auto Dealers Assn Board
Charlie King, interim President of JMU
Michael Berlucchi, Virginia Beach Councilman
Chris Winslow, former Chesterfield Board of Supervisors

Spouses/Relatives
Elizabeth Cline, spouse of Congressman Ben Cline
Tracy McGuire, spouse of Congressman John McGuire
Florencia Seguria, doctor and sister of Juan Pable Segura
Robert Tata, spouse of Delegate Anne Farrel Tata

Boards and Commissions Most Impacted
9 of 9 removed from the Richard Bland College Board
8 removed from the LGBTQ+ Board
6 removed from the Board of Health
6 removed from Old Dominion University Board
5 removed from the Fair Housing Board
5 removed from the Juvenile Justice Board

List of all people not confirmed and removed from their board, commission, or appointment.

Douglas Domenech is a former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources.