Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is sworn in on historic day
Congresswomen Jennifer McClellan, 50, was sworn into office on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 after a long day of interviews, orientation and anticipation with family and friends. The moment was historic as she became the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress and one of four women in Virginia’s congressional delegation. She succeeded the late , D-4th, a friend and mentor to her over the course of her 18 years in the General Assembly.
“I keep having to pinch myself that this is real,†said McClellan as she sat at her new desk in her office in the Rayburn House Office Building. News cameras clicking as she thumbed through her late father’s Bible from 1947, which she would later place her hand on during her swearing in ceremony, she said: “It’s literally falling apart, but, he’s with me.â€
The U.S. Capitol is framed by early spring blooms in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan heads into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC for orientation on March 7, 2023 in preparation for her swearing in as the first Black Congresswoman from Virginia. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
The office of Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC shows signs of preparations for her arrival on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan walks to her new office in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan visits her office for the first time in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan visits her office for the first time in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan visits her office for the first time in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan wears a 118th Congress pin on March 7, 2023. McClellan was sworn in later that day as the first Black Congresswoman from Virginia. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, said: "There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting in Virginia or in any state in our nation."
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan thumbs through her father's Bible, which her son held during her ceremonial swearing in later that same day, in her new office in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan thumbs through mementos in her father's Bible, which her son held during her ceremonial swearing in later that same day, in her new office in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. Her father's obituary, seen on the desk, as well as photos of herself as a young girl were also in the Bible. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan (right) shares a laugh with long-time friend Allison Lawrence as she waits to be sworn in to the 118th Congress in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan takes a moment with her mother Lois Dedeaux McClellan, 90, before her swearing in on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Julie McClellan (left), of Midlothian, brushes off her sister, Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan's suit as she waits to be sworn in to the 118th Congress in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. Nearby are (from left) McClellan's niece Brittany Beckwith, of New Jersey, her cousin Ann Paytes, of Silver Spring, MD, her cousin Billy Ballard, of Silver Spring, MD, and her sister Jean McClellan-Holt, of Chesapeake, VA. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan walks through the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC with her husband David Mills and her children Jackson Mills, 12, and Samantha Mills, 7, on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s son, Jackson Mills, 12, holds his grandfather’s Bible before his mother’s ceremonial swearing in on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
House speaker Kevin McCarthy poses with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, her husband David Mills and her children Jackson Mills, 12, and Samantha Mills, 7, during a ceremonial swearing in on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2023. The Bible used belonged to the Congresswoman’s late father and dates back to 1947. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
House speaker Kevin McCarthy poses with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, her husband David Mills and her children Jackson Mills, 12, and Samantha Mills, 7, during a ceremonial swearing in on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan leaves a holding room filled with her family, friends and staff to be sworn in on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2023. Her son, Jackson Mills, 12, leads the way in celebration. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
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