RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Days after moving to block Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s pick to lead the Virginia Parole Board, Senate Democrats reversed course and confirmed her appointment.
On Feb. 5, the Democrat-controlled Virginia Senate moved to reject a Democrat-led Senate committee’s decision from Jan. 30 to remove Patricia West’s appointment as Virginia Parole Board chair from a joint resolution with several of Youngkin’s appointees to key state posts.
West said that she felt Democrats were initially hesitant about her nomination because they were unfamiliar with her, telling 8News that she met with leaders to introduce herself. This included discussions with Senate Majority Leader Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) and House Speaker Don L. Scott Jr. (D-Portsmouth), she said.
“Once I was able to talk to them and tell them about myself, I think that’s what changed their minds,” West told 8News in an interview.
READ MORE: Senate Democrats move to block Youngkin’s pick for Virginia Parole Board chair