FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan has overwhelmingly gained the Democratic nomination to succeed the late A. Donald McEachin in Congress, get together officers stated.
McClellan gained the nomination with 23,661 votes in Tuesday’s firehouse major over Sen. Joe Morrissey, who netted simply 3,782, and two different candidates. She would be the overwhelming favourite within the closely Democratic 4th Congressional District when a particular election is held Feb. 21.
“Tuesday’s party-run course of noticed historic turnout with 27, 900 votes solid, making it the biggest party-run nomination course of within the historical past of the Democratic Get together of Virginia,” in line with the get together’s web site.
Republicans on Saturday picked Leon Benjamin, a Richmond native, pastor and Navy veteran who has twice unsuccessfully challenged McEachin, as their nominee.
If McClellan wins in February, she is going to change into the primary Black lady to characterize Virginia in Congress.
McClellan, 49, a company legal professional, has represented components of the Richmond space within the Basic Meeting since 2006. She ran for governor in 2021 however misplaced the Democratic major to Terry McAuliffe.
If elected to Congress, she would characterize the state’s 4th District, a majority-minority district based mostly in Richmond that stretches south to the North Carolina border.
Institution Democrats coalesced round McClellan in her marketing campaign in opposition to Morrissey, a populist and twice-disbarred former prosecutor-turned-defense legal professional who’s proved remarkably resilient over a three-decade profession in electoral politics.
Morrissey had accused Democrats of working in opposition to him in planning Tuesday’s major. which was held on quick discover after McEachin’s demise Nov. 28 after a battle with colon most cancers.
McEachin’s widow, Colette — herself an elected official in Richmond — was amongst quite a few high-profile endorsers of McClellan. Del. Lamont Bagby dropped out of the race final week in a transfer extensively seen as an effort to forestall Morrissey from rising victorious on a fractured poll.
The first was run by the Democratic Get together, with balloting at eight websites positioned all through the district. Virginia voters don’t register by political get together, so voting was open to all registered voters prepared to signal a pledge indicating they’re a Democrat and intend to assist the get together’s nominee.
Voting occurred Tuesday however the get together didn’t rely start counting ballots till Wednesday.