Virginia state Sen. Ben Chafin has died after contracting the coronavirus, Senate Republicans said Friday.
What We Know:
- The announcement from his office stated, “State Senator Augustus Benton (Ben) Chafin, Jr., a natural son of Russell County established in Southwest Virginia, passed away on January 1, 2021, from Covid-19 complications.”
- The Republican lawmaker’s family appreciated the VCU Medical Center in Richmond for “its strenuous care and heartfelt aid during his two weeks of medical assistance there.” Chafin, a cattle rancher, and attorney worked for Virginia’s 38th District. He was appointed to the state’s House of Delegates in 2013 before going to the Senate in 2014. He was 60 years old.
- His office cherished him Friday, stating “a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, economic expansion and health care protection for hundreds of thousands of low-income Virginians.”
- In recognition of Chafin, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam assigned the state flag on top of Virginia’s Capitol to fly at half-staff till the senator’s burial.
- “I knew Ben as a lawmaker, an attorney, a banker, and a farmer raising beef cattle in Moccasin Valley, working the land just as generations of his family had done before him,” Northam said in a statement.
“He loved the outdoors, and he loved to serve people even more. He pushed hard to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his fearless vote to expand health care for people who need it.”
- The governor continued to say in his statement that this is unfortunate news to start the new year with since the loss of such a gracious man, and everyone commits to taking additional steps to care for one another.
Chafin is the first Virginia lawmaker to pass away from the virus. Chafin leaves behind his mother, sister, wife, three children, and grandchildren. Our condolences to his family and friends.
