Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin (D) has died at age 61 after a yearslong battle with cancer, his chief of staff announced Monday.
The congressman, who represented the Old Dominion’s 4th Congressional District, had just won reelection to his fourth term in the lower chamber.
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Tara Rountree, McEachin’s chief of staff, wrote in a statement announcing his death that “we are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend. … Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013. Tonight, he lost that battle, and the people of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District lost a hero who always, always fought for them and put them first.”
Tributes poured in late Monday to honor the congressman, including from Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine (D) and Mark Warner (D).
Kaine wrote of McEachin: “I was last with him on election night three weeks ago, celebrating his win. He was a gentle giant, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a climate warrior, a Christian example, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother.”
Warner, Virginia’s senior senator, added: “Up until the very end, Don was a fighter. Even though he battled cancer and faced other trials in recent years, he never lost his focus on social and environmental justice. Tonight, Virginia has lost a great leader and I have lost a great friend.”
McEachin easily defeated Republican challenger Leon Benjamin with 64.4% of the vote to Benjamin’s 35.6% in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, according to the Associated Press tally.
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The congressman had been a member of Virginia’s congressional delegation since 2016 and was a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Before his election to Congress, McEachin served in the Virginia House of Delegates as well as the Virginia Senate.
McEachin is survived by his wife, Colette, and his three children.
