Democrats to select congressional nominee in Va. district

By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press

Democrats in a Richmond-based congressional district are voting to select a nominee for the seat held by the late Donald McEachin. The party is holding a firehouse primary Tuesday at eight voting sites throughout the state’s 4th Congressional District. The winner will be a heavy favorite in a Feb. 21 special election in a district where Democrats have a traditional advantage. Four candidates are on the ballot: state senators Jennifer McClellan and Joe Morrissey, former legislator Joseph Preston and civil rights advocate Tavorise Marks. The party’s establishment has coalesced around McClellan, who’s received numerous endorsements. No winner will be declared Tuesday. The party won’t begin counting votes until Wednesday.