RICHMOND, Va. -- Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Sweckertoday released the following statement regarding Virginia’s jump in ranking from #13 to #7 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business 2017” list:

“Virginia’s ranking as the seventh best state in the nation for business is no surprise, as we’ve been working tirelessly to create a business-friendly environment here in the Commonwealth. Since Governor McAuliffe’s election in 2013, Democrats have been able to work across the aisle to grow an inclusive Virginia economy that creates opportunities for all. In a similar fashion to Donald Trump, Ed Gillespie likes to paint a doomsday picture of the Commonwealth's economic climate. These findings show that Virginians have all the more reason to elect another Democratic governor like Ralph Northam to continue to build upon the successes of Governor McAuliffe. We've created the best workforce in the nation while promoting fiscal responsibility and growing industries such as bio-tech, cyber-security and health care."

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