Jennifer McClellan

Jennifer Leigh McClellan (born December 28, 1972) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. As of 2020, she is a Virginia State Senator, representing the 9th district in Greater Richmond, and a candidate for Governor of Virginia.[1] She is also vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia and a member of the Democratic National Committee. From 2006 to 2017 she was member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 71st district.

Jenn McClellan
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 9th district
Assumed office
January 13, 2017
Preceded byDonald McEachin
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 71st district
In office
January 11, 2006 – January 13, 2017
Preceded byViola Baskerville
Succeeded byJeff Bourne
Personal details
Born (1972-12-28) December 28, 1972
Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)David Mills
Children2
EducationUniversity of Richmond (BA)
University of Virginia (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

McClellan grew up as the child of a Virginia State University professor involved in civil rights activism. McClellan attended Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County, where she became valedictorian at 17.[2] McClellan then attended the University of Richmond for college and the University of Virginia for law school.[3]

Career

After law school, McClellan began practicing law at Hunton & Williams.[2]

In 2005, McClellan ran for office for the first time, seeking a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates vacated by Viola O. Baskerville, who stepped down to run for lieutenant governor. McClellan won the election and from 2006 to 2017 served as the 71st District's member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing parts of the city of Richmond and Henrico County.

In 2010, McClellan made history as the first pregnant Virginia Delegate to participate in a legislative session.[2]

When Terry McAuliffe was elected Governor of Virginia in 2013, McClellan headed the transition team.[4]

McClellan is vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia;[5] as the highest ranking party officer of the gender opposite the party chair, she is also automatically a member of the Democratic National Committee. As a DNC member, she was a superdelegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[6]

McClellan was elected to the Virginia State Senate in a special election held on January 10, 2017, to fill the 9th District seat vacated by Donald McEachin's election to the US House of Representatives. She defeated Libertarian Party opponent Corey Fauconier.[7] In the race, McClellan received endorsements from McEachin, as well as Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, US Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Governor Terry McAuliffe.[8] Her seat was once held by Governor L. Douglas Wilder.

McClellan works as regulatory counsel for Verizon.[9]

In June 2020, McClellan announced she would run for Governor of Virginia in 2021.[1] Like fellow candidate Jennifer Carroll Foy, she would be the first female governor in Virginia and the first black female governor in the U.S.[10]

Political positions

In 2016, McClellan supported a change to the state's marriageable age that would no longer permit girls under age 16 to be legally married.[11]

Personal life

McClellan is married and has two children. Her mentor Tim Kaine performed her wedding.[2]

References
  1. Schneider, Gregory S. (June 18, 2020). "State Sen. Jennifer McClellan announces she'll run for Virginia governor in 2021". Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  2. Moomaw, Graham (December 23, 2016). "After 'devastating' 2016 election, McClellan plans next political chapter". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  3. Woo, Megan (October 23, 2016). "Governor McAuliffe accepts civil rights award". NBC12. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  4. Portnoy, Jenna (September 8, 2016). "Bobby Scott: The congressman who could make history. Again". Washington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  5. "Ninth District Senate election pits McClellan, Fauconier". Henrico Citizen. January 10, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  6. "Democractic Party Super Delegates -- 2008". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  7. Chaney, Matthew (January 11, 2017). "Jennifer McClellan wins Virginia's 9th Senate District election". WRIC. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  8. Freeman, Jr., Vernon (January 9, 2017). "9th Senate District seat up for grabs in special election Tuesday". WTVR.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  9. Wilson, Patrick (February 3, 2017). "Sen. Jennifer McClellan, working for Verizon on wireless infrastructure bill, recuses herself from vote". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  10. Moomaw, Graham (April 7, 2020). "Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy files paperwork to run for governor". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  11. "Virginia's child marriage laws cry out for reform". www.jennifermcclellan.com. Friends for Jennifer McClellan. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
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