“State Sen. Augustus Benton (Ben) Chafin, Jr., a native of Russell County, located in southwest Virginia, died on January 1, 2021 of Covid-19 complications,” the statement said. The Republican lawmaker’s family thanked the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, for “their vigorous care and sincere support during their two weeks of medical services there.”
Chafin, a cattle rancher and lawyer, served in the 38th district of Virginia. He was elected to the state’s Chamber of Delegates in 2013, before transferring to the Senate in 2014.
His office remembered him on Friday as “a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, economic development and health coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income Virgos.”
“He defended jobs in his district, especially in the coal fields, where the decline in coal devastated local economies,” the statement said.
In honor of Chafin, Democratic Governor Ralph Northam on Friday ordered the state flag at the top of the Virginia Capitol to be flown half the mast up to the senator’s prison.
The governor added: “This is sad news to start a new year with the loss of a kind and gracious man. May we all renew our commitment to take extra steps to care for each other.”
Chafin leaves his mother, sister, wife, three children and grandchildren.