Charniele L. Herring is a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing District 4 , covering parts of Fairfax County and Alexandria. Born in 1969 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she is an attorney by profession, Baptist, and the first African American woman from Northern Virginia elected to the Virginia legislature in its 400-year history. Elected in 2009, she has served as House Majority Leader since 2020—the first woman and first African American in that role—and previously chaired the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Courts of Justice Committee. Notable achievements include passing gun safety legislation, founding the Virginia Legislative Reproductive Health Caucus, and advocating for social justice, education, small businesses, the environment, and substance abuse prevention.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Economics from George Mason University ; J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law .
• Political Experience: Member of the Virginia House of Delegates since January 2009; House Majority Leader ; Vice Chair of Labor and Commerce Committee; appointed twice by Gov. Tim Kaine to the Council on the Status of Women; early public service at age 13 testifying on health care for military dependents. She has affiliations with Alexandria Rotary and serves as trustee for Hopkins House.