Virginia State Senator Ben Chafin (R) has died from complications due to COVID-19, his office announced Friday. He was 60 years old.
Governor Ralph Northam (D) and the Republican Caucus of the Virginia Senate confirmed the transfer of Chafin, who represented the state’s 38th district for the past six years.
“Senator Chafin’s family is grateful to VCU Medical Center in Richmond for their vigorous care and sincere support during their two weeks of medical service there,” his office said in a statement. CBS affiliate station in Richmond, WTVR-TV.
Northam wrote in a statement that “southwest Virginia has lost a strong advocate, and we have all lost a good man.”
“I knew Ben as a legislator, lawyer, banker and farmer who raised beef cattle in the Moccasin Valley, working the land as generations of his family had done before,” the governor said. “He worked hard to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his valuable vote to expand health care to people who need it.”
Northam is said to have ordered the Virginia state flag to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of Chafin’s funeral.
Seconds The Roanoke Times, lawmakers and other members of political circles had heard of Chafin who had contracted the virus in mid-December when he was hospitalized at VCU.
While other Virginia lawmakers have hired COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, Chafin is the first to die of complications.
Fellow lawmakers expressed their condolences after Chafin’s news Friday, and State Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. said, “Ben Chafin has left us a legacy of the best in public service.” according to WTVR.
“It served to ensure that their region and community, and the people they loved, would never be forgotten,” Norment continued. “That we love his memory by imitating his dedication and commitment.”
The news comes just days after the election of the Louisiana representative Luke Letlow (R) died of complications from COVID-19 at the age of 41 years. Representative Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Whom he previously served as chief of staff, was expected to succeed.
Letlow was first admitted to St. John’s Medical Center. Francis due to coronavirus complications on December 19 before being transferred to the Ochsner LSU Health ICU on Dec. 23, he suffered a heart attack following a virus-related procedure.