Virginia state senator Ben Chafin (R) died of complications due to COVID-19, his office announced on Friday. He was 60 years old.
Governor Ralph Northam (D) and the Virginia Senate Republican Congress confirmed Chafin’s passing, which represented the state’s 38th district in the past six years.
“Senator Chafin’s family thanks the VCU Medical Center in Richmond for their vigorous care and sincere support during their two weeks of medical services there,” his office said in a statement, according to CBS affiliate station in Richmond, WTVR-TV.
Northam wrote in a statement that “Southwest Virginia has lost a strong defender – and we have all lost a good man”.
“I met Ben as a legislator, lawyer, banker and farmer who raises beef cattle in the Moccasin Valley, working on the land just as generations of his family had done before him,” said the governor. “He went to great lengths to bring jobs and investments to his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous vote to expand healthcare to the people who need it.”
Northam reportedly ordered the flag of the state of Virginia to be flown at half-mast until sunset on the day of Chafin’s funeral.
According The Roanoke Times, lawmakers and others in political circles heard about Chafin contracting the virus in mid-December, when he was hospitalized at VCU.
While other lawmakers in Virginia have hired COVID-19 since the pandemic began, Chafin is the first to die of complications.
Other lawmakers expressed their condolences after the news of Chafin’s death on Friday, with Republican Senate leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. saying, “Ben Chafin left us a legacy of the best in public service,” according to the WTVR.
“He served to ensure that his region and community, and the people he loved, were never forgotten,” continued Norment. “May we value your memory, imitating your dedication and commitment.”
The news comes a few days after the election of the Louisiana representative Luke Letlow (R) died of complications COVID-19 at 41 years of age. He was scheduled to succeed Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Whom he previously served as chief of staff.
Letlow was first admitted to the St. Francis Medical Center due to coronavirus complications on December 19 before being transferred to the ICU Saúde Ochsner LSU on December 23rd. He suffered a heart attack after a virus-related procedure.