Jennifer McClellan sworn in as first Black congresswoman to represent Virginia

Jennifer McClellan, a previous Virginia state senator, was sworn in on Tuesday, ending up being the very first Black female to represent the commonwealth in Congress.

Her climb to your home of Representatives is a turning point for Virginia, a state that was when house to the capital of the Confederacy and is a previous slave-trading center. McClellan signs up with a divided Congress, in which Republicans manage your home of Representatives, making the possibility of passing Democratic-backed top priorities slim.

McClellan’s election likewise contributes to what is currently a record variety of ladies and ladies of color in Congress, and sets a brand-new record for the variety of Black ladies, according to information from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

In February, McClellan won Virginia’s unique election and was successful the late Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who passed away in November. She beat Republican Leon Benjamin, a pastor and Navy veteran, in the greatly Democratic congressional fourth district that had actually been held by McEachin given that 2017.

She informed CNN on the project path that in ending up being the very first Black female to represent the commonwealth, “it’s a remarkable honor however it’s likewise a remarkable duty due to the fact that I require to ensure I’m not the last.”.

” I have an obligation to be a coach and assistance lead the way for other Black ladies, whether it’s, you understand, running for federal workplace or performing at regional or state and to simply assist as lots of as I can to prosper,” McClellan stated after casting her tally in February.

While in the Virginia General Assembly, McClellan pressed legislation on weapon control, abortion rights and education. She formerly informed CNN that she prepares to continue her deal with these concerns, consisting of ballot rights and declared her intend on Tuesday.

” I found out in the basic assembly here in Virginia, I remained in the minority for 14 years, and I found out simply be relentless,” McClellan informed Don Lemon on “CNN Today” while promoting her deal with the Ballot Rights Act of Virginia. She led the procedure, which was signed into law in 2021 and intended to get rid of citizen suppression and intimidation in the commonwealth.

Raised in Petersburg, Virginia, McClellan was chosen to your home of Delegates in 2005 and won a 2017 unique election for state Senate after McEachin was chosen to Congress in 2016. In 2020, she introduced a quote for guv, ultimately can be found in 3rd in the 2021 Democratic primary.