Monsurat
Virginia State Sen. Jennifer McClellan won the special election for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, making her the first Black Woman to represent the Commonwealth in Congress.
McClellan, a state senator, defeated Republican Leon Benjamin in Tuesday’s special election. She succeeded Rep. Donald McEachin, who died from cancer in November.
“It still blows my mind that we’re having firsts in 2023,” she said in an interview. “My ancestors fought really hard to have a seat at that table, and now not only will I have a seat at the table in Congress, I’ll be able to bring that policymaking table into communities that never really had a voice before.”
McClellan will join 29 other black women in the House. There are no black women in the Senate. “It’s a tremendous honor but It’s also a tremendous responsibility because I need to ensure I’m not the last,” she said.
McClellan has been a member of the state Senate since 2017 and has served 11 years in the House of Delegates. Her campaign focused on highlighting efforts to protect voting rights and domestic workers.
McClellan also sponsored her chamber’s resolution that helped Virginia become the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which bans discrimination on the basis of sex guarantees equality for women under the Constitution, said CNN.
Congratulations from @repoyedc to Ms. McClellan @jennmcclellanva on her victory.
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