Rep. Takano honors McPike with House floor tribute
New delegate served as Takano's chief of staff for 13 years
Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) honored newly elected Del. Kirk McPike with a tribute on the House floor Wednesday, marking the end of McPike’s 13-year tenure as his chief of staff.
“Kirk has been the leader of my team since 2012, setting up the office, building LGBTQI political infrastructure, helping me earn the Veterans Affairs Committee gavel, and so much more,” Takano said.
McPike won a special election Tuesday for Virginia’s 5th House District, defeating Republican Mason Butler with 82% of the vote. State law required him to resign his congressional staff position upon winning the seat.
Takano praised McPike’s mentorship of staff members over the years.
“Kirk’s proudest accomplishments are not counted in the bills passed or titles held,” Takano said. “They are measured in the many people he has led and mentored, from interns to senior staffers.”
“Kirk, I will miss you, my friend. I’ll miss your counsel,” Takano continued. “But I know you will serve the Commonwealth of Virginia as a delegate with the same intelligence and decency you brought to this House.”
McPike shared the video on Bluesky Wednesday night, writing: “I am so fortunate to have spent the last 14 years working for the kindest, most decent person in the United States Congress.”
McPike will be sworn in alongside Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker on Feb. 18.
