The Democratic Party of Virginia's Central Committee earlier this month selected Charniele Herring, a state delegate whose district includes West End Alexandria, to lead the state party.

Herring vote came during the party’s Central Committee Dec. 8 in Williamsburg. She released the following statement Saturday:

"I am humbled by the strength and diversity of Virginia Democrats," she said. "I look forward to fighting every day to ensure we continue to elect Democrats here in this great Commonwealth."

Outgoing party Chairman Brian Moran announced his resignation in November.

Herring has served in the House of Delegates since 2009 and is currently minority whip. She has told Patch she plans to keep her delegate seat while serving as party chairwoman but likely will relinquish her chairmanship of the Legislative Reproductive Health Caucus.

Herring is the first black chairperson of the state party.

She is currently serving her third term in the state House. She has lived in Northern Virginia for nearly three decades, including 22 years in West End Alexandria. She is a past president of the West End Business Association, serves on the board of directors for the Hopkins House and is a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade Policy and Outreach Committee.

Herring earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from George Mason University and a juris doctorate from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.