Virginia Senator Jennifer McClellan (D) won a tumultuous Democratic primary to succeed Representative Donald McEachin (D), who died in November of cancer. Colorectal.
Given the highly Democratic composition of Virginia’s 4th congressional district, McClellan will almost certainly win the special general election on February 21, 2023. McEachin won his seat in November. with nearly 29 points.
It was a swift promotion for McClellan, who only started campaigning a week ago.
Ahead of tight deadlines for candidate filings and the general election just weeks later, Virginia Democrats opted to participate in the so-called firehouse primaries on Tuesday, which ran out of time. time to vote early or vote by mail. Campaigns only have a few days to do their voting activities. The final race was held on Thursday, although McClellan appeared to have won convincingly with more than 80% of the vote.
Several county Democrats, including candidate and state Senator Joe Morrisey, have criticized the state party for not holding Saturday primaries to maximize turnout. direct voting.
But others, like McClellan, argue that it makes sense to maximize the amount of time before voters have to make a decision. In that regard, she told The Daily Beast in an interview last week that Tuesday was a logical choice.
Bang Del. Lamont Bagby was also a leading candidate for the seat, but dropped out last week in an apparent attempt to bolster support for McClellan, who would be the first Black woman to serve. in Virginia’s congressional delegation. McClellan also received approval from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and several Virginia congressional Democrats, among others.
She also received the endorsement of McEachin’s widow, Colette.
McClellan said she hopes to implement some of McEachin’s legislative priorities, including issues of the environment, voting rights and reproductive health. The Democratic candidate has long looked to McEachin as a mentor after succeeding his seat in the state Senate.
McClellan previously ran for governor in 2021 and has served in the state legislature since 2006.
