by Dick Hall-Sizemore

Gov-elect Spanberger seems on the verge of repeating a mistake that then Gov.-elect Youngkin made four years ago — surrounding herself with advisers from her former world rather than from Virginia government and politics. 

Youngkin, a complete neophyte in politics and Virginia government, brought in people from the investment banking world and agency heads, several from out of state. The investment banking world is totally different from Virginia government and politics. Based on reports from long-time state employees, there was a steep learning curve. Youngkin is now on his third Superintendent of Public Schools.

Spanberger is in danger of going down the same path. Granted, she has more experience with Virginia and government than Youngkin had, but her experience has been in Congress, a whole different world. Also, she spent a year or so going around the state preparing to run for governor. That gave her some exposure to different areas of the state and to members of the General Assembly. But those efforts are not a substitute for years-long familiarity with Virginia government. Here is who she has announced as her chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and transition team:

Chief of staff — Bonnie Krenz-Schnurman. Background: Served as Spanberger’s chief of staff for five years in Congress and since she has been a candidate; previously, senior policy adviser at the White House Domestic Council under Obama; before that, managed a national malaria program in Tanzania for the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Director of transition team and deputy chief of staff — Karen Mask. Worked as field director in Spanberger’s Congressional campaigns. Before that, was a senior policy analyst at the Virginia Dept. of Health and a special projects coordinator with the Virginia Dept. of Education.

Transition team;

• Daun Sessoms Hester. Norfolk Treasurer; former member of General Assembly and Norfolk City Council.
• Laura Dillard Lafayette. Longtime CEO of Richmond Association of Realtors; former press sectary for Gov. Wilder.
• Kelly Cannon. CEO of Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association Foundation.
• Marvin Figueroa. Former deputy secretary of health and human resources under Gov. Northam and currently vice-president of health and life sciences of BGR Group.
• Yohannes Abraham. Visiting professor at the University of Virginia, former executive director of the transition team for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and former ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A native of Springfield, he also held several positions in the White House under Obama.
• Chris Lu. Professor at UVa.’s Miller Center; served as executive director of transition team for Obama and Biden; worked as Obama’s primary liaison with federal agencies; served as deputy secretary of labor and then as ambassador to the United Nations for management and reform.
• Samson Signori. Managed Spanberger’s campaign for governor, as well as her campaign for reelection to Congress in the Seventh District.

Two lobbyists; one former member of the General Assembly (who served three terms and whose last year was 2018); one former deputy Cabinet secretary who is now with a Washington D.C. lobbying group; two people who were chiefly involved in campaigns; and three with Washington experience with ties to the Obama and Biden administrations. Other than the lobbyists, there is not a lot of deep knowledge of Virginia politics, government, or the General Assembly in that group. Hopefully, Spanberger will choose folks who are knowledgeable in Virginia politics and government for her Cabinet and heads of key agencies.