Jennifer McClellan

Jennifer McClellan
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 9th district
Assumed office
January 13, 2017
Preceded by Donald McEachin
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 71st district
In office
January 11, 2006 – January 13, 2017
Preceded by Viola Baskerville
Succeeded by Jeff Bourne
Personal details
Born (1972-12-28) December 28, 1972
Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) David J. Mills
Residence Richmond, Virginia
Alma mater University of Richmond (B.A.)
University of Virginia (J.D.)
Profession Lawyer
Committees Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Local Government
Transportation
Website www.jennifermcclellan.com

Jennifer Leigh "Jenn" McClellan (born December 28, 1972) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. She is currently a Virginia State Senator, representing the 9th district in Greater Richmond. 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.

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.[1] McClellan then attended the University of Richmond for college and the University of Virginia for law school.[2]

Career

After law school, McClellan began practicing law at Hunton & Williams.[1]

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.[1]

When Terry McAuliffe was elected Governor of Virginia in 2013, McClellan headed the transition team.[3]

McClellan is vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia;[4] 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.

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 Liberty Party opponent Corey Fauconier.[5] 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.[6]

McClellan works as regulatory counsel for Verizon.[7]

Political positions

McClellan supported a change to the laws concerning eligibility for marriage in Virginia, to require that brides be at least 18.[8]

Personal life

McClellan is married and has two children. Her mentor Tim Kaine performed her wedding.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Moomaw, Graham (December 23, 2016). "After 'devastating' 2016 election, McClellan plans next political chapter". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  2. ↑ Woo, Megan (October 23, 2016). "Governor McAuliffe accepts civil rights award". NBC12. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  3. ↑ Portnoy, Jenna (September 8, 2016). "Bobby Scott: The congressman who could make history. Again". Washington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ninth District Senate election pits McClellan, Fauconier". Henrico Citizen. January 10, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  5. ↑ Chaney, Matthew (11 January 2017). "Jennifer McClellan wins Virginia's 9th Senate District election". WRIC. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. ↑ Freeman, Jr., Vernon (9 January 2017). "9th Senate District seat up for grabs in special election Tuesday". WTVR.com. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Patrick (February 3, 2017). "Sen. Jennifer McClellan, working for Verizon on wireless infrastructure bill, recuses herself from vote". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  8. ↑ http://www.jennifermcclellan.com/press/jennifer-mcclellan-virginias-child-marriage-laws-cry-out-reform-0
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.