February 8, 2022 News & Press Releases

ANOTHER MAJOR SETBACK FOR YOUNGKIN ADMIN: Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Nominee Fully Rejected by Senate Democrats


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Richmond, VA —Today, Senate Democrats voted down Governor Youngkin’s highest-profile cabinet nominee, Andrew Wheeler. 

Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist and Trump crony, received significant backlash from former employees in the wake of Governor Youngkin’s nomination. Senate Democrats today stood strong, voting unanimously to reject his appointment–dealing a yet another huge blow to Governor Youngkin during his first month in office. 

DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement: 

“This is yet another major blow to Youngkin’s far-right agenda, and a huge win for the people of Virginia. This is the first time since 2006 that a governor’s cabinet appointment has been denied, showing yet another remarkable administrative failure from Governor Youngkin. Andrew Wheeler would have hurt our economy, killed good clean-energy jobs and decimated our environment – just as he did in the Trump Administration. We applaud Senate Democrats for taking this necessary stand.”

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