Jennifer McClellan

ON THE ISSUES

• Climate and environmental justice leader 
• Chief co-sponsor of the clean cars bill in the Virginia legislature
• Advocate for a transition to 100 percent clean energy
• Earned a 100% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard

WHY THIS RACE MATTERS

• First Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress
• Holding this seat in Virginia will help win a pro-environmental majority in the House, making it easier to pass climate legislation at the federal level

CANDIDATE BACKGROUND

Representative Jennifer McClellan is running for her first full term to represent Virginia's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was born in Petersburg, Virginia, in the 4th Congressional District. After receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, she practiced law at the firm Hunton & Williams. In 2005, she was elected to the open 71st District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing parts of the city of Richmond and Henrico County. She headed then- Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe’s transition team in 2013, and serves as the Vice Chair of the Virginia Democratic Party, as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and as a vice-chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. McClellan was a leader on climate and environmental justice in the Virginia legislature, including introducing and helping pass the commonwealth’s landmark 100 percent clean energy law, the Virginia Clean Economy Act. She also introduced and passed legislation to remove barriers for solar power, to protect waterways from interstate pipelines, to increase EV charging stations, was the chief co-sponsor of the clean cars bill, and introduced an environmental justice bill to force permitting applicants to engage in community outreach. 

McClellan was elected to Congress in a special election in 2023, making history as the first Black woman elected to the House from Virginia. Following in the footsteps of the late U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin, McClellan has been a leading Congressional advocate for clean energy, environmental justice, and climate action. She has also continued her work to protect and expand voting rights.  In Congress, she will continue to prioritize climate and environmental justice. Representative McClellan has earned a 100% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard. McClellan is endorsed by LCV Action Fund.