RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — On Tuesday, voters in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for the successor to late Congressman Donald McEachin.
McEachin (D-Va.) passed away in late November following a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 61 years old.
Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) and Leon Benjamin (R-Va.) will face off in the Special Election race to fill the awaiting Congressional seat Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Virginia’s 4th Congressional District includes voters from a central-southeastern slice of the commonwealth, including parts of Chesterfield, Richmond, Henrico, Charles City, Hopewell, Prince George, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Lawrenceville, Emporia, Sussex, Waverly, Wakefield and more.
“I’m asking this 4th congressional district that might normally vote a particular party to give Leon Benjamin a chance,” Benjamin told 8News. “Tomorrow is going to be a groundswell of love that we understand. We got to stop being divided. We have to come together [and] unite regardless of party, regardless of race, color, gender or economic status. We have to come together. Leon Benjamin is the people’s choice.”
“I can’t wait to take my 18 years of service leadership and legislative process to Washington to help expand access to healthcare address rising costs and serve people of central Virginia. We can make history in the process,” McClellan told 8News.
Should she win, McClellan would be the first Black woman from Virginia in Congress.
“It’s a tremendous honor to think that the same district that sent the first Black man to Congress as John Mercer Langston, could send me as the first Black woman,” she said. “I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors and would be their wildest dreams.”
Mail-in and early voting for the Special Election have ended. Click here to find your local polling place. Voting ends Tuesday at 7 p.m.
