Virginia Sen. Ben Chafin (R) has died of complications due to COVID-19, his office announced Friday. He was 60.
Government Ralph Northam (D) and the Republican Caucus of the Virginia Senate confirm the death of Chafin, who has represented the state’s 38th district for the past six years.
“Senator Chafin’s family thanks the VCU Medical Center in Richmond for his diligent care and deep support during his two weeks of medical services there,” his office said in a statement. CBS’s Richmond subsidiary station, WTVR-TV.
Northam writes in a statement that “Southwest Virginia has lost a strong lawyer – and we have all lost a good man.”
“I knew Ben as a legislator, a lawyer, a banker and a farmer who raised beef cattle in Moccasin Valley and farmed the land just as generations of his family did before him,” the governor said. “He has urged hard to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous voice in expanding the health care for people in need.”
Northam reportedly ordered the Virginia state flag to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of Chafin’s funeral.
According to The Roanoke Times, lawmakers and others in political circles heard in mid-December when Chafin contracted the virus when he was admitted to the VCU in hospital.
While other lawmakers in Virginia have suffered COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, Chafin is the first to die from complications.
Co-legislators expressed their condolences after the news of Chafin’s death Friday, with Republican Senate leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. saying, “Ben Chafin has left us a legacy of the best in public service. left ‘, according to WTVR.
“He served to ensure that his region and community, and the people he loved, would never be forgotten,” Norment continued. “May we cherish his memory by imitating his dedication and dedication.”
The news comes a few days after Louisiana election Luke Letlow (R) died of COVID-19 complications at age 41, he was planning to retire as delegate Ralph Abraham (R-La.), who had previously served as chief of staff.
Letlow is first in the St. Francis Medical Center admitted due to coronavirus complications on December 19 previously is transferred to the Ochsner LSU Health ICU on December 23rd. He suffered a heart attack after a procedure related to the virus.