Rep.-elect Donna Edwards (D-Md.), who swept to a special election victory Tuesday as expected, will be sworn in Thursday.

Edwards will replace recently retired Rep. Albert Wynn (D) in Maryland’s 4th district.

The nonprofit executive, who defeated Wynn earlier this year in the district’s Democratic primary by 22 points, blew out Republican Peter James, earning 80 percent to James’ 19 percent.

The wide margin of victory is expected to be repeated in November when James, a supporter of Rep. Ron Paul’s (R-Texas) presidential bid, will again face Edwards in the general election.

Though the race was never expected to be competitive, Tuesday’s victory marks the fourth special election win in a row for House Democrats, who have pointed to their performance in those elections this spring as a sign of a Democratic tide that is building toward November.

On an individual level, Edwards’ victory Tuesday will give the new Congresswoman several months of seniority on the freshman class that will take office in January, an important leg up in everything from picking office space to making contacts and implementing the liberal message she campaigned on.

Edwards’ staffers said Wednesday morning that she had not yet received her committee assignments.