Washington (CNN) For the first time in Virginia's 400-year legislative history, a woman will become speaker of the House.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, the current Democratic House leader, won a competitive race for the top spot after Democrats flipped both the House and Senate in Tuesday's election

Filler-Corn, who will make history as the first Jewish speaker of the House, beat out three other candidates for the position. She is the first woman to serve in her current role as minority leader.

"On Tuesday, Virginians spoke and we have listened. It is time to govern and usher in a new era in Virginia. As Speaker-designee of the House of Delegates, I will be ready to work with all of my colleagues toward a better Commonwealth," Filler-Corn said in a statement

"The firsts are not lost on me - the first woman and the first Jewish person elected Speaker-designee in our 400 year legislative history - but it doesn't define me. When I joined this body less than 10 years ago, I was the only mom serving with school-aged kids. We have come so far since then," Filler-Corn said, touting the legislative body's cultural, gender and geographic diversity.

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