Former House minority leader announces retirement

(AP) A longtime Democratic leader in the Virginia House of Delegates says he is retiring.

Former House Minority Leader David Toscano, a Charlottesville lawyer, announced on the House floor Feb. 23 that he will not seek re-election this year.

Toscano is a former mayor of Charlottesville who led the Democratic House caucus from 2011 to 2018, including when Democrats won 15 seats in 2017 and almost took control of the lower chamber.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised Toscano as an astute and even-handed legislator.

Toscano, 68, is one of several lawmakers who have announced their retirements this year.

All 140 legislative seats will be up for grabs in November.