Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D) is jumping into the race for governor, saying the state is at a “critical crossroads right now about what direction we’re going to go.”

But Virginia was the first state to elect a Black man as governor, so many are hoping that it follows up and elects the first Black woman as well.

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan

McClellan represented the Richmond area for 11 years in the House of Delegates and four years in the state Senate.

McClellan has been a leader on racial justice issues in Virginia, as vice chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and chair of the Virginia Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“In the fight to be the next governor of Virginia and the first Black woman governor in America, the Jennifers are setting an exciting new standard for leadership and all HuffPost superfans!