Ben Chafin: Virginia state senator dies at 60 after contracting Covid-19



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“State Senator Augustus Benton (Ben) Chafin, Jr., a native son of Russell County located in southwest Virginia, died on January 1, 2021 of complications from Covid-19,” said the communicated. The Republican lawmaker’s family thanked VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va. For “their vigorous care and sincere support during their two weeks of medical service.”

Chafin, cattle rancher and lawyer, served the 38th District of Virginia. He was elected to the State House of Delegates in 2013 before joining the Senate in 2014.

His office remembered him on Friday as “a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, economic development and health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income Virginians.”

“He advocated jobs in his district, especially in the coalfields where the decline of coal has devastated local economies,” the statement said.

In honor of Chafin, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday ordered the state flag atop the Virginia Capitol to fly half-staffed until the senator’s internment.

“I knew Ben as a lawmaker, lawyer, banker and farmer raising beef cattle in the Moccasin Valley, working the land like generations of his family had done before him,” Northam said in a statement. “He loved the outdoors, and he loved serving people even more. He has gone to great lengths to create jobs and investment in his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous vote to extend health care to those who need it.

The governor added: “It is sad news to start a new year with the loss of a kind and courteous man. May we all re-commit to taking extra steps to take care of each other.”

Chafin is survived by his mother, sister, wife, three children and grandchildren.

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