Democratic Congressman Has Passed Away
(WatchDogReport.org) – Representative Donald McEachin (D-VA) was first elected to Congress in 2016 and had just been reelected to his fourth term in office on November 8. Unfortunately, on the evening of Nov 28, he unexpectedly died at the age of 61, meaning that the commonwealth’s 4th district seat will be vacant when the 118th Congress convenes on January 3, 2023.
— Rep. Donald McEachin (@RepMcEachin) November 29, 2022
Although no official cause of death has been released at this time, the notice posted on McEachin’s Twitter feed did mention his battle with “the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013.” With his passing, it falls to Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to schedule a special election to decide who would fill the post.
Youngkin said he had not yet decided on a date for the new election, saying there were others he needed to get input from before setting the time. The governor posted a statement on his Twitter about McEachin’s death, saying he “admirably served Virginia” through his time in public office.
It’s so sad to learn of the passing of @RepMcEachin. A valiant fighter until the end, he admirably served Virginia & worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his constituents & Americans. Suzanne & I are thinking of his family, friends, & community during this difficult time.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) November 29, 2022
McEachin served two stints in the Virginia House of Delegates and eight years in the state Senate before winning election to national office. He graduated with a law degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1986 and earned a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University in 2008. He is the seventh person elected to the 117th Congress (2020 election) that has died.
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