Remembering Cragg Hines, a “Democrat’s Democrat”

Virginia Democrats lost a fixture in the Party with the passing of Cragg Hines on December 16th, 2023. Hines was a longtime supporter of LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia as an early caucus member. He was also a member of Virginia Partisans, the predecessor to the caucus, helping to raise funds to support LGBT+ and pro-LGBT+ candidates for elected office in Virginia.

Maggie Sacra, Immediate Past Chairperson of LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia, shared, “Cragg was a great supporter of the caucus and ever-present at our events in Northern Virginia and often elsewhere. He will be sorely missed for his work for Democrats.”

“Cragg was a Democrat’s Democrat,” wrote Jimmy Lewis, Vice Chair for Communications of LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia. “He spent his life adding seats to the table by reaching back and empowering young and diverse leaders. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of a more inclusive party will never be forgotten.”

In addition to his Democratic activism, Cragg Hines had a storied and award-winning career as a journalist. He was a correspondent, bureau chief, and columnist for the Houston Chronicle.

Cragg was 78.