A number of Virginia Democrats are announcing their intention to run in the special election to fill the U.S. Congressional seat of late Rep. Donald McEachin as the deadline to officially file for their candidacies quickly approaches.

McEachin died last month following complications from cancer weeks after he won re-election. As a result, an expedited primary election will take place next week ahead of the special general election that’s been scheduled to take place early next year.

One person who is already a declared candidate has the opportunity not only to make U.S. history but also Black history if elected.

Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat who has served in Virginia’s General Assembly for 17 years, is very much aware of that fact and said as much this week when announcing her candidacy.

“It’s time for a Black woman’s voice to be heard in the Virginia congressional delegation, and the perspective that brings,” McClellan told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

There are other candidates for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, but so far McClellan is the only Black woman in the race.

The Federal Election Commission’s website showed that State Sen. Joe Morrissey also filed paperwork to run for McEachin’s newly vacant seat.

State Senator Joe Morrissey is running for the VA-04 seat in Congress he says. pic.twitter.com/gIrfUj5DIy

— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) December 13, 2022

Morrissey and McClellan are joined in the race by Del. Lamont Bagby, former Del. Joseph Preston and Tavorise Marks, a civil rights advocate.

Today I am proud to announce that I am a candidate for the seat of the late, great Donald McEachin.

As a teacher, administrator, School Board member and now Delegate I have committed my life to public service in our community and Congress is where I can deliver next.

— Lamont Bagby (@delegatebagby) December 12, 2022

My name is Tavorise K. Marks and I am officially running to become the next Congressman of the 4th Congressional district of Virginia!

Email inquiries: marksforcongressva@gmail.com

DONATE HERE: https://t.co/XxU50TC0K6 pic.twitter.com/M6I6py5vx3

— Tavorise K. Marks (@TavoriseMarks) December 12, 2022

The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported that the “firehouse primary” has prompted “accusations of unfairness to working class voters” because of how soon the election was being held.

Morrissey suggested that the primary being held on Tuesday instead of this coming weekend benefits McClellan. The election on Tuesday “will have the net effect of chilling and limiting voter turnout,” according to Morrissey, who said it was “the most anti-working class, anti-democratic and anti-Black woman decision since the Byrd era” — a reference to Virginia’s former U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an ardent segregationist.

From the Richmond-Times Dispatch:

Former state Democratic Chairman Paul Goldman threatened to file a lawsuit against the 4th District Democratic Committee over its vote to hold the party primary on a weeknight instead of a Saturday, when more voters can attend and participate.

“Congressman Don McEachin understood that Democrats should be leading the fight to allow working families maximum access to the ballot, which is only possible in elections ARE NOT on Tuesday when you can do IT ON A SATURDAY,” Goldman said in a blast text message.

The deadline to submit paperwork to become an official candidate is Friday and the election is next Tuesday. The only criteria are amassing 150 signatures from registered voters and paying a fee of $3,480.

The Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District is expected to be named by Dec. 23.

Despite criticism that such a quick deadline “only benefit career politicians,” McClellan — who waged an unsuccessful bid for governor this year — said the alternative wasn’t any better.

“Mobilizing voters in less than a week would have been even more undemocratic,” McClellan said.

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