New governor assembles Virginia’s first ever majority-female Cabinet

Virginia Gov.-elect Ralph Northam (D) has reportedly assembled the state’s first majority-female Cabinet.

Northam, who beat Republican Ed Gillespie for the governor’s mansion in November, has tapped women to fill eight of his 15 Cabinet-level positions.

{mosads}In a statement to The Washington Post, Northam said he wanted to build a Cabinet that reflect’s Virginia’s diversity.

“Our commonwealth’s diversity is our strength, [which] is why I made a commitment to building a Cabinet that reflects it,” he said. “I’m honored to have this formidable group of experienced, accomplished female leaders joining me in working to build a Virginia that works for everyone, no matter who you are, no matter where you live.”

“Well, it is 2018,” Northam said on Twitter, a reference to Canadian Prime Minister’s explanation for why he assembled a gender-equal Cabinet: “Because it’s 2015.”

Well, it is 2018. https://t.co/iavSo3znPY

— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) January 9, 2018

Northam will replace outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who was term-limited and currently has six female Cabinet members.

Northam was one of several Democratic victories in Virginia’s November statewide elections. The party retained the governor and lieutenant governor positions and saw a boost in the House of Delegates, though the chamber remains in Republican hands after a random drawing determined the GOP candidate won the election in a tied district.