RICHMOND, Va. – For the first time in Virginia’s history, a Black woman will represent the commonwealth at the federal level.

Virginia Democratic senator Jennifer McClellan defeated Republican Leon Benjamin yesterday in a special election to fill the state’s Fourth Congressional District.

That’s the seat formerly held by the late Donald McEachin.

McClellan was heavily favored in the left-leaning district, encompassing Richmond and parts of Chesterfield and Henrico counties.

Interestingly, she first came to the Virginia Senate through a 2017 special election after McEachin was elected to the U-S House.