Democratic Virginia Rep. A. Donald McEachin died Monday at the age of 61, his office announced.
First elected to Congress in 2016, McEachin had been suffering from colorectal cancer since 2013, Chief of Staff Tara Rountree said in a statement. McEachin won his bid for a fourth term in the November midterms, defeating Republican challenger Leon Benjamin by 27 points.
“We are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin. 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,” Rountree said.
“Until a new representative is elected, our office will remain open and continue to serve our constituents. The family asks for privacy at this time. Arrangements will be announced over the next few days.”
— Rep. Donald McEachin (@RepMcEachin) November 29, 2022
McEachin is the sixth member of the 117th Congress to die in office, and the first member of the 118th Congress to die. Rep.-elect Luke Letlow of Lousiana died of COVID-19 in December 2020 before taking the oath of office. (RELATED: Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski Killed In Car Crash)
Before running for Congress, McEachin served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996-2002 and 2006-2008, and the state Senate from 2008-2017. He worked as an attorney before entering politics.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.