Democratic groups and officials are coalescing around Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan to fill the remainder of the term of the late Rep. A. Donald McEachin ahead of a Tuesday primary that will essentially pick the next member of Congress for the Richmond-area district.
McClellan, who would be the first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia, has been waging a weeklong campaign for the nomination. She faces three other Democrats, including fellow state Sen. Joe Morrissey, a firebrand whose campaign reportedly paid for an ad urging Republicans to vote for him.
The 4th District Democratic Committee decided on Dec. 12 to hold a party-run “firehouse primary” a week later. That decision came hours after Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an order setting Feb. 21 as the date for a special election to fill the seat. McEachin died last month after winning reelection. Since the seat is in a heavily Democratic district — McEachin won by 30 points — Tuesday’s primary is likely to be the bigger contest.
