Don Leonard Scott Jr.

Don L. Scott Jr. was born in Houston, Texas, and raised by a single mother with his five siblings. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agriculture before serving as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. His military service inspired him to pursue a law degree, which he earned from Louisiana State University. In 1994, Scott was convicted on federal drug charges and served seven years in prison. After his release, he began a career in workforce development, eventually becoming a Senior Vice President. He passed the Virginia bar exam in 2014 and opened his own law practice in Portsmouth in 2015. Scott was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019, representing District 80. Following redistricting, he now represents District 88. He rose quickly through party ranks, becoming the House Minority Leader in 2022. After Democrats regained the majority in the 2023 elections, Scott was elected Speaker of the House, becoming the first Black Speaker in Virginia's history.