The Democratic Party announced in a news release early on Thursday morning that Jennifer McClellan had won the Democratic nomination for the 4th Congressional District of Virginia in the special election to succeed the late Rep. Donald McEachin. She is now in position to become the first Black woman to represent the Old Dominion in Congress.

In a fast-paced campaign that lasted just seven days, McClellan (D-Richmond) defeated state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey (D-Richmond). From a field of three leading contenders, the field was reduced to two as Virginia Democratic leaders united behind McClellan.

Also Read: Volodymyr Zelensky gifts Congress battle flag from Ukraine’s city of Bakhmut

Who is Jennifer McClellan?

Jennifer L. McClellan was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on December 28, 1972. In 1990, McClellan graduated from Matoaca High School in Chesterfield, Virginia, as the class valedictorian. Then, in 1994 and 1997, respectively, she received her B.A. from the University of Richmond and her J.D. from the University of Virginia.

McClellan and her husband, David Mills, have two children, Jackson and Samantha.

She is a Virginia state senator representing the 9th district.  She was previously elected to represent the 71st district as a member of the Democratic Party in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2017.

Also Read: Popovich, Parker, Nowitzki, Wade among Hall of Fame nominees

McClellan is a former president of the Virginia Young Democrats, vice chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, and a member of the Democratic National Committee. She also serves as vice chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. In the Democratic primary for Virginia governor in 2021, she ran and finished third, losing the candidature to former governor Terry McAuliffe.

McClellan won numerous honours, including the Trailblazer Award Virginia Leadership Institute in 2015, the Exceptional Dedication and Public Service Award from the Fan Free Clinic in 2014, the Freedom Fund Banquet Award from the Richmond NAACP in 2008, the Older Virginians Champions Award from the Virginia AARP in 2011, the Leadership Award from the Virginia Housing Coalition in 2009, and the Health Policy Award from the Virginia Commonwealth University Student National Medical Association in 2012.

Also Read: FBI was warned weeks before Jan 6 that far-right saw Trump’s tweet as call to arms: Report

During her tenure as a representative, McClellan has contributed towards various legislations, such as, ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, passing the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, passing the Reproductive Health Protection Act, passing the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, and expanding access to childcare, among others