Home Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin dies at 61

Rep. Donald McEachin, a Democrat representing Virginia’s fourth Congressional District since 2017, died Monday night time after a battle with colorectal most cancers, in keeping with his workplace. He was 61.

Eachin’s chief of employees, Tara Rountree, mentioned in a statement the congressman had been experiencing “secondary results of his colorectal most cancers from 2013.”

“We’re all devastated on the passing of our boss and good friend, Congressman Donald McEachin,” Rountree mentioned. “Valiantly, for years now, we’ve got watched him combat and overcome the secondary results of his colorectal most cancers from 2013.”

“Tonight, he misplaced that battle, and the individuals of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District misplaced a hero who at all times, at all times fought for them and put them first,” she added.

Rountree mentioned that McEachin’s workplace “will stay open and proceed to serve our constituents” till a brand new particular person is elected to steer the district.

“The household asks for privateness right now. Preparations shall be introduced over the subsequent few days,” she added.

The Virginia Democrat underwent two surgical procedures in August 2019 following “ongoing problems” linked to the chemotherapy and radiation he acquired to assist deal with his most cancers, in keeping with ABC 8 Information. He frolicked exterior Washington for roughly three months to get better from the operations, per NBC 12.

McEachin was first elected to the Home in 2016 and went on to win reelection in 2018, 2020 and most lately, earlier this month. Constituents in Virginia’s fourth Congressional District elected him with roughly 64 p.c of the vote on this 12 months’s midterm election.

Throughout his time in Congress, McEachin emerged as a number one voice on points like environmental inequalities that these in low-income communities and communities of coloration face. On the time of his demise, he sat on the Committee on Power and Commerce, the Committee on Pure Assets and the Choose Committee on the Local weather Disaster.

He was additionally a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the centrist New Democrat Coalition, the biggest Democratic caucus within the Home that’s devoted to fiscally accountable and pro-innovation insurance policies.

Earlier than coming to Congress, McEachin served in each the Virginia state Senate and Home of Delegates. He was born in Nuremberg, Germany on Oct. 10, 1961, and went on to graduate from American College and the College of Virginia Faculty of Regulation. 

McEachin is the fourth Home lawmaker to die this 12 months whereas serving in workplace. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) died in a automotive accident over the summer season, Rep. Don Younger (R-Alaska) died in March, and Rep. Jim Hagedorn died of kidney most cancers in February.

Condolences poured in for McEachin from colleagues — of each events and from each chambers of Congress — after information broke of his demise.

“It’s with nice unhappiness that I be a part of Virginians tonight in mourning the lack of Congressman Donald McEachin: a tireless champion for Virginia households and a drive for financial alternative and environmental justice,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wrote in a press release Monday night time.

“He shall be deeply missed by his colleagues, and he leaves behind a legacy that may enhance the lives of all of our kids for generations to return,” she added.

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) referred to as McEachin “a considerate and principled legislator” who was “revered by individuals on each side of the aisle.”

“The Commonwealth and our nation have misplaced one in every of its most devoted public servants and fiercest advocates for justice and equality,” he in a assertion.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) mentioned McEachin was “a fighter.”

“Up till the very finish, Don McEachin was a fighter,” Warner wrote on Twitter. “Although he battled most cancers and confronted different trials lately, he by no means misplaced his concentrate on social and environmental justice.”

“Tonight, Virginia has misplaced an amazing chief and I’ve misplaced an amazing good friend,” he added.

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) additionally expressed unhappiness on the information of McEachin’s demise.

“It’s with unhappiness that I wish to specific my condolences to the McEachin household on the passing of my colleague, Rep. Donald McEachin,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’m grateful for the kindness he confirmed me in the course of the two years we served collectively. My prayers are together with his household.”

Up to date 11:53 p.m.