Governor-Elect Spanberger Announces Secretary of Finance Appointment

Governor-Elect Spanberger: “Delegate Sickles Will Be a Key Partner in Advancing My Administration’s Work to Lower Costs for Families and Make Sure Virginia Has the Strong Financial Footing to Succeed for Decades to Come”

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RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of Delegate Mark D. Sickles to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Finance.

“The Secretary of Finance plays an essential role in guaranteeing Virginia’s long-term economic strength, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and addressing the challenges facing Virginia communities,” said Spanberger. “As the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Delegate Sickles has years of experience working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass commonsense budgets that have offered tax relief for families and helped Virginia’s economy grow. He not only has the deep knowledge required to successfully manage our Commonwealth’s finances, but shares my commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring Virginians’ tax dollars are put to the best possible use. I know Delegate Sickles will be a key partner in advancing my administration’s work to lower costs for families and make sure Virginia has the strong financial footing to succeed for decades to come.”

“I look forward to assisting Governor Spanberger as she works to make life in Virginia more affordable. We simply must achieve results for our families, young people, and seniors by building a budget that reflects our values and reduces the cost of living,” said Delegate Sickles. “We need to make sure every tax dollar is employed to its greatest effect for hard-working Virginians to keep tuition low, to build more affordable housing, to ensure teachers are properly rewarded for their work, and to make quality healthcare available and affordable for everyone. The Finance Secretariat must be a team player in helping Virginia’s government to perform to its greatest potential.”

BIOGRAPHY

Delegate Mark D. Sickles, Secretary of Finance

Delegate Mark Sickles is wrapping up his 22nd year in Virginia’s House representing part of South Fairfax County. He is known for working collaboratively to get difficult tasks accomplished in a bipartisan manner. Since 2004, Delegate Sickles has served on, and chaired, the House Health and Human Services Committee. In 2014, Speaker Bill Howell appointed him to the Appropriations Committee, where he currently chairs the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. In 2018, Speaker Kirk Cox appointed him to the House-Senate budget conference committee. He has been reappointed to represent the House budget position in these negotiations by Speakers Filler-Corn, Gilbert, and Scott in each year since.

Delegate Sickles is the current chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), serves on the Major Employment Investment (MEI) Commission, the Joint Commission on Health Care, and on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Revenue Estimates (GACRE). After regaining the majority in 2023, Speaker Scott appointed Delegate Sickles to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and to the Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care. Finally, he also serves on the Rules Committee and the Privileges and Elections Committee.

Delegate Sickles has successfully shepherded through the General Assembly significant healthcare advances, including the transition away from Healthcare.gov to the Virginia Health Insurance Exchange, popular election administrative reforms, Virginia’s sports betting statute, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority. He has championed investments in libraries, endangered species protection and recovery, and various bioscience initiatives across the Commonwealth. He is the patron of the pending constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality for LGBTQ Virginians.

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