Virginia Rep. McEachin dies after cancer battle

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin, D-Virginia, died Monday at age 61 after a yearslong battle with colorectal most cancers.

McEachin, a three-time congressman, lately gained re-election within the state’s 4th District, which covers the cities of Richmond and Henrico, in addition to elements of Chesterfield and the Tri-Cities.

“We don’t do that for glory or fame. We do that as a result of we like service,” he stated earlier this month.

McEachin had been coping with well being results from most cancers since 2013, in response to his chief of employees, Tara Rountree. In 2019, he took time away from Washington, D.C., as he recovered from surgical procedures. He vowed then to proceed working for his constituents.

“We’re all devastated on the passing of our boss and good friend, Congressman Donald McEachin,” stated Rountree in a press release on Monday. “Valiantly, for years now, we’ve got watched him battle and conquer the secondary results of his colorectal most cancers from 2013. Tonight, he misplaced that battle, and the folks of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District misplaced a hero who all the time, all the time fought for them and put them first.”

Rountree says the 4th District workplace will stay open till a brand new consultant is elected, WWBT reviews.

“The household asks for privateness at the moment,” she stated. “Preparations shall be introduced over the subsequent few days.”

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, stated Monday that McEachin and his spouse, Colette, “have been great buddies” for greater than 30 years.

“Up till the very finish, Don was a fighter,” Warner stated. “Regardless that 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 a terrific chief, and I’ve misplaced a terrific good friend.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, stated he and McEachin had “turn into quick buddies” after they met in 1985.

“I used to be final with him on election night time three weeks in the past, celebrating his win. He was a delicate big, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a local weather warrior, a Christian instance, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother,” stated Kaine in a press release.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams from North Carolina posted on Twitter that McEachin “was a fighter for Virginia, and he wasn’t afraid to share tales of his private battle with most cancers so he might encourage others to get screened and see their physician.”

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