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Virginia State Senator Ben Chafin (right) has died from complications from COVID-19, his office said Friday. He was 60 years old.
Gov. Ralph Northam (R) and the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus have confirmed the passing of Chafin, who represented the state’s 38th district for the past six years.
“The family of Senator Chafin thank VCU Richmond Medical Center for their vigorous care and sincere support during their two weeks of medical service there,” his office said in a statement, according to Richmond’s CBS affiliate, WTVR-TV.
Northam wrote in a statement that “Southwest Virginia has lost a staunch advocate – and we’ve all lost a good man.”
“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,” the governor said. “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.
Northam reportedly ordered the Virginia state flag to fly half-baton until sunset on the day of Chafin’s burial.
According to The Roanoke Times, lawmakers and other members of political circles had heard that Chafin contracted the virus in mid-December during his hospitalization at VCU.
While other lawmakers in Virginia have contracted COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, Chafin is the first to die of complications.
Fellow lawmakers have expressed their condolences following the announcement of Chafin’s passing on Friday, Republican State Senate Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. saying: “Ben Chafin left us a legacy of the best of the civil service ”, according to the WTVR.
“He made sure his region and community, as well as the people he loved, were never forgotten,” Norment continued. “May we cherish his memory by emulating his dedication and commitment.”
The news comes just days after Louisiana elected officials Luke Letlow (R) died of complications from COVID-19 at the age of 41. He was to succeed the retirement of Representative Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Whom he previously held as Chief of Staff.
Letlow was first admitted to St. Francis Medical Center due to complications from the coronavirus on December 19 before transferred to ICU Health Ochsner LSU on December 23, he suffered a heart attack following an operation related to the virus.
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