Virginia's Secretary of Education has resigned after her husband was selected as the Democratic nominee for vice president.
Anne Holton, who is married to U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, had been education secretary in Virginia since 2014.
Kaine was chosen last week by Hillary Clinton as her running mate on the Democratic ticket.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Holton is stepping down to focus on the presidential campaign.
Dietra Trent, deputy secretary under Holton, has been promoted to secretary of education. Trent also served as deputy secretary of education during Kaine's tenure as governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010.
As secretary, Holton led efforts to revamp how Virginia prepares students and helped lay the groundwork for changes in high school graduation requirements that help guarantee that students have the necessary skills to join the workforce.
“As Virginia’s Secretary of Education, Anne has been a tireless advocate on behalf of the students of the Commonwealth and an essential leader in securing historic investments in public education during the most recent General Assembly session," Gov. Terry McAuliffe says in a news release. "During her tenure, Anne has been a constant and powerful voice for students, teachers and schools, and her lifelong dedication to serving Virginia’s young people, especially the children at the margins, has had a lasting impact in the Commonwealth."
Trent, in addition to her experience in the state's education department, has as director of constituent services and director of the Council on Human Rights in Gov. Mark Warner's administration.
“Dietra is goal-oriented and a natural problem-solver who is already a crucial member of our team, and I am excited to have her join my Cabinet,” McAuliffe says. “She is deeply committed to ensuring that all Virginians have access to an affordable education of the highest quality, and I know she will continue to be a strong voice for our young people.”
