In a historic moment for Virginia, Del. Don Scott Jr., a Democrat from Portsmouth, was sworn in on Wednesday as the state's first Black speaker of the House of Delegates. Scott's journey to the chamber has been unconventional, making his achievement even more significant.

Having been first elected to the House in 2019, Don Scott Jr. was unanimously chosen by his party for the speakership in November. On Wednesday, the swearing-in ceremony took place in Richmond, a city that holds deep historical significance as the former capital of the confederacy.

Prior to his political career, Scott served as a Navy officer and was in his third year of law school when his life took a drastic turn. He found himself ensnared in a drug conspiracy case and subsequently spent nearly eight years in federal prison. Reflecting on that challenging period, Scott acknowledged his mistake, expressing remorse for his actions.

Upon his release from prison, Scott displayed resilience and determination, finishing his law degree and opening his own practice. Eventually, he successfully ran for a seat in the Virginia legislature, where he swiftly ascended the ranks and served as minority leader since 2022.

Speaking about his journey, Scott remarked, "Damaged goods sometimes can turn out to be OK. We are a lot more interesting than the people that followed all the rules and did everything perfect."

As Del. Scott assumes the role of House speaker, he faces an uphill battle in navigating the challenges of divided government. With a slim majority in the House, he must work to advance his party's agenda, while also dealing with a Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, whom he has been a staunch critic of.

Despite the hurdles ahead, Scott remains resolute in his commitment to moving Virginia forward. He has outlined a comprehensive list of priorities, including contentious issues like abortion and gun control, that he aims to tackle in the legislature.

The significance of Scott's historic achievement is not lost on him. In his speech, he acknowledged the weight of the moment and the shoulders he stands on, considering that Richmond is just a few miles from where the first slaves arrived in the country in 1619. He expressed gratitude and humility for the opportunity.

With Del. Don Scott Jr. at the helm, Virginia's House of Delegates embarks on a new era, with the hopes and expectations of progress and equitable representation for all Virginians.