RICHMOND – The Democratic Party of Virginia is excited to announce U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock for Georgia as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Blue Commonwealth Gala.

Reverend Warnock made history in 2021, becoming the first African American to represent Georgia in the Senate and the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from a Southern state. Since then, he’s become a leading advocate for protecting voting rights, expanding access to affordable health care, creating sustainable clean energy jobs, investing in the nation’s HBCUs, and strengthening federal support for farmers and rural communities.

DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker shared the following statement:

“We are honored to welcome Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock to the Commonwealth as we fight to keep Virginia blue. Nobody is as compassionate, tough, and hard-working as Reverend Warnock, who knows what it means to win as a Democrat in the South. Reverend Warnock has fought tirelessly for Georgians and Americans in the Senate, whether it's lowering the cost of prescription drugs or creating good-paying jobs. We couldn’t be more thrilled for him to share the importance of making the South blue this November.”

Reverend Warnock released the following statement:

“Since the people of Georgia stood up and sent me, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to Washington, my Democratic colleagues and I have been able to deliver transformative wins for families and communities all over the nation. But building on that progress and preventing dangerous efforts to roll it all back means Democrats must win in Virginia and across the South this November to flip the House and keep the Senate and White House blue. That’s why I’m thrilled to support my friend Senator Tim Kaine and join Democrats from across Virginia at this year’s Blue Commonwealth Gala, because I know better than anyone the power the people have to change the political direction of our country.”