BREAKING: Virginia Congressman Dies at 61

Virginia Congressman Donald McEachin has died at 61.

The Democratic representative reportedly died following a battle with colorectal cancer.

BREAKING: Virginia Congressman Donald McEachin (D) dies at 61 pic.twitter.com/dTvcbAvuIm

— DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) November 29, 2022

BREAKING: Virginia Democrat Congressman Donald McEachin dies at the age of 61https://t.co/UWPI8cMoAL

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 29, 2022

McEachin was just re-elected for his fourth term in Congress.

BREAKING NEWS: Rep. Donald McEachin was just re-elected for his fourth term in Congress. https://t.co/TwZ588dJnE pic.twitter.com/8jocgSWBQH

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 29, 2022

Via Fox News:

Virginia Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin died on Monday at the age of 61 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

McEachin was first elected to Congress in 2016, serving Virginia’s 4th District. He was re-elected to the House for a fourth term earlier this month.

The congressman’s chief of staff, Tara Rountree, released a statement Monday night announcing McEachin’s passing.

“We are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin,” Rountree wrote. “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.”

“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,” the statement continued.

McEachin was the third-ever African American to represent Virginia in the U.S. House.

Politico added:

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McEachin, whose district was based in Richmond, the state capital, was reelected earlier this month with 64 percent of the vote against Republican challenger Leon Benjamin. He had been first elected to Congress in 2016 after serving in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

“We don’t do this for glory or fame, we do this because we like service,” McEachin said on election night earlier this month.

McEachin was one of 213 Democrats elected to the next Congress, compared with 220 Republicans. Two races are still to be determined.

His replacement in the heavily Democratic district will be determined by special election, at a date to be chosen by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. In a statement Monday night, Youngkin said McEachin “worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his constituents.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) paid tribute to McEachin on Twitter.

“Up until the very end, Don McEachin was a fighter,” he said. “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.”