Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D) was once projected to defeat her Republican opponent on Tuesday to turn out to be the primary Black girl to constitute the state in Congress, in step with The Related Press and early vote counts.
McClellan, 50, led Republican Leon Benjamin by way of about 40 share issues on Tuesday throughout a different election to fill a seat vacated by way of the demise of Rep. Donald McEachin (D). McEachin died of most cancers in November, in a while after he was once elected to a fourth time period in place of business.
Her victory, whilst anticipated in a blue-leaning district that comes with Richmond, is a milestone in Virginia politics. McClellan painted her bid as an honor heavy with duty to be the state’s first Black girl to move to Congress, pointing to her circle of relatives’s reports within the Jim Crow generation. She instructed The Related Press that her father and grandfather had been required to pay ballot taxes and her mom wasn’t ready to vote till the passage of the Balloting Rights Act of 1965.
“It’s poetic justice, occupied with what now not most effective my circle of relatives has been via, however what our nation has been via,” McClellan instructed The Washington Submit after her projected victory. “To be the primary Black girl from Virginia, which was once the birthplace of American democracy but in addition the birthplace of American slavery.”
Her victory was once hailed by way of the Virginia Democratic Celebration.
“Jennifer McClellan’s history-making victory as the primary Black girl to be elected to Congress from Virginia may have ripple results around the Commonwealth,” Susan Swecker, the chairwoman of the birthday celebration, stated in a commentary Tuesday night time. “Her management will enlarge upon the phenomenal growth and advocacy for which we keep in mind Congressman A. Donald McEachin ― I will not assume of a higher method to honor his existence and legacy.”
McClellan has served as a state legislator since 2006, sponsoring many Democratic tasks, together with expenses that expanded vote casting get entry to and abortion rights. She driven ahead a blank power initiative and has pledged to paintings towards equivalent efforts whilst in Congress.
Best 3 Black males have ever represented Virginia in Congress. McClellan will sign up for 29 different Black girls now within the Area of Representatives.
“It’s an enormous honor, and duty, to make sure that I’m now not the final,” she instructed AP.