By Maria – Paula
The first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia, congresswoman Jennifer Leigh McClellan (D), the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 4th congressional district, announced the full congressional staff for both her Washington, D.C. and Virginia offices before her official swearing-in on March 7th. The team Includes both top officials from former Congressman McEachin Office and McClellan State Senate Office.
“It is an honor to represent Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District as the first Black Congresswoman from the Commonwealth. I thank the voters of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District for placing their trust in me to serve in the people’s House, said McClellan after her swearing in.
McClellan, 50, an American politician and attorney, won a special election in February after the death of former Virginias Congressional Rep. Donald McEachin. She defeated Republican nominee Leon Benjamin with 74.2% of the vote.
The historic swearing in of one of only four women in Virginia’s congressional delegation a week into women’s history month, made new history as she used her late fathers Bible from 1947. Her rise to Congress in Virginia, a state that was at one point the Confederacy capital and is a former slave-trading center marks a milestone for the people of color.
“I keep having to pinch myself that this is real. It’s literally falling apart,” McClellan declared. “I would not be here without my late father, Dr. James F. McClellan, Jr. and my mother, Lois McClellan, who raised me on their stories of growing up in the Great Depression, coming of age during the World War II era, and having a family during the 1960’s and 70’s. They saw the best of government in the New Deal. They saw the worst of government in Jim Crow. It was their stories that inspired me to help make government work for the people, and I will bring that passion and determination to Washington.”
“Most importantly, thank you to my husband, David, and my children, Jackson and Samantha, for your love and support,” she added.
Her emotional speech on the House floor following her swearing in, as she recounted her rise in politics as a daughter and granddaughter of black men who paid poll taxes. Also, the great granddaughter of a man who took a literacy test and had to find three White men to vouch for him to be able to vote, gave hope and spelt a win for all people of color in the commonwealth and America at large.
“In this historic moment, I stand on the shoulders of so many who came before me. I stand on the shoulders of my predecessor, the late A. Donald McEachin, a friend, mentor, and colleague; John Mercer Langston, the first African American member of Congress from Virginia; and many more. I am ready to build on their legacy and work every day to help people,” said McClellan. “I am humbled and excited to get to work for the people of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District.”
McClellan’s team comprises of seasoned staffers from Capitol Hill, former McEachin Congressional staffers, and members of her Virginia State Senate office. Of the 16 McClellan Congressional staff members, 11 previously worked for McEachin’s office, most of whom have personal ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
McClellan’s Washington, D.C. Staff are:
1.Tara Rountree, Chief of Staff. Tara was a longtime staffer for the late Rep. A. Donald McEachin, having served under him for nearly seven years. She was formerly his Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and District Director.
2. Donald Pollard III, Legislative Director. Donald most recently served as Sen. Tim Kaine’s Policy Advisor. Prior to that, he spent several years as a Legislative Assistant to Rep. Lauren Underwood and Sen. Kaine.
3. Shahid Ahmed, Communications Director. Shahid most recently served as Communications Director for Rep. McEachin. Prior to that, he spent over two years as a Press & Digital Assistant for the New Democrat Coalition.
4. Jazmine Bonner, Director of Operations. Jazmine has worked for Sen. Tammy Duckworth for more than three years, most recently as her Special Assistant and Deputy Director of Advance. She began as a Staff Assistant for the House Judiciary Committee under the leadership of Chair Jerrold Nadler.
5. Melody Tan, Senior Policy Advisor. Melody is a former Rep. McEachin staffer, who handled his health and environmental justice portfolio. She previously served as an IEEE-USA / AAAS Congressional Fellow for Sen. Tina Smith.
6. Rahmon Ross, Legislative Assistant. Rahmon is a former Rep. McEachin staffer, who handled his Department of Defense, veterans’ affairs, and transportation and infrastructure portfolios. He previously served as a Legislative Correspondent and Staff Assistant to Sen. Bob Casey.
7. Jannie Kamara, Legislative Correspondent / Legislative Aide. Jannie most recently served as Staff Assistant to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. Prior to Capitol Hill, she worked as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant for Impact 21.
8. Lena Jacobson, Press & Digital Assistant. Lena most recently served as Rep. McEachin’s Press Assistant. She started as a press intern in early 2021 and was hired on as full-time staff shortly after.
9. Sarah Houle, Staff Assistant. Sarah is a former intern for Rep. McEachin, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Virginia LCV, State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and REPRO Rising Virginia.
McClellan’s District officers are:
1. Charity Howell, District Director. Charity most recently served as District Director for Rep. McEachin. Prior to that, she served as Regional Director and Outreach Representative to Sen. Mark Warner.
2. Sylvia Copeland, Constituent Services Director. Sylvia is a former Rep. McEachin staffer, who joined his office during his first year in Congress. Prior to that, she worked for a housing authority in Suffolk to support low- and middle-income families.
3. Maryn Campbell, Outreach Director. Maryn most recently served as Chief of Staff to Sen. Jennifer McClellan in her Virginia State Senate office. Prior to that, she served as McClellan’s Legislative Assistant and intern.
4. Bianca Casper, Senior Constituent Services Liaison. Bianca most recently served as Sen. McClellan’s Legislative Assistant in her Virginia State Senate office. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Caseworker for Sen. Warner for more than three years.
5. Elizabeth Hardin, District Representative. Elizabeth is a former Rep. McEachin staffer, who joined his office during his first year in Congress. Prior to that, she worked extensively throughout Central Virginia to support urban planning and community development.
6. Abbi Easter, Senior Advisor. Abbi is a former longtime staffer and advisor to Rep. McEachin. Prior to joining his congressional team, she served as his Chief of Staff while he was Chair of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus.
7. John Montgomery, Service Academies Coordinator. John is a former Rep. McEachin staffer, who also attended West Point and was on the Henrico School Board.
“I am proud of the experienced, diverse, and capable team we have put together,” she announced. “These Hill and Virginia professionals possess a breadth of institutional knowledge and expertise to continue to advocate for and serve the people of the 4th Congressional District in the same manner as the office of Congressman McEachin. I am ready to get to work on behalf of Virginians, and I am confident my team will make sure our constituents’ voices are heard in Washington.”
