Aston Donald McEachin (D-VA, 4th District), passed away on November 28th, 2022, was an American Politician and Lawyer who served since 2017. McEachin, who was just Reelected, died at the age of 61 after a battle with Colorectal Cancer.
His District was based in the State Capital, Richmond. It included much of the area between Richmond, a portion of its Suburbs, and Hampton Roads. McEachin served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 until 2002, and then served an additional term from 2006 until 2008. He subsequently served in the Senate of Virginia from 2008 until 2017, representing the 9th District, made up of Charles City County, plus parts of Henrico County and the City of Richmond.
McEachin ran for the Open Seat of Virginia's 4th Congressional District, vacated by Randy Forbes (R) in 2016, and won the General Election with 57.3% of the Vote. In 2001, McEachin was the Democratic Nominee in the Virginia Attorney General Election, which he Lost to Jerry Kilgore (R). McEachin was the First African American nominated by a Major Party for Virginia Attorney General. He was the Third African American Elected to Congress from Virginia, and the Second Elected from the State since the 1800s.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will set a Special Election to fill the U.S. House Seat, but isn’t under a Specific Deadline to do so. Youngkin, like several other State Leaders, said it was too early to discuss the upcoming Election, as Virginia mourns the sudden loss of the Congressman. While Virginians continue to honor McEachin’s Legacy, Conversations over who could take the Seat are starting behind the scenes.
Youngkin remembered McEachin as an “extraordinary public servant”, telling Reporters at an Event in Northern Virginia, that discussions about the Special Election would come, but that his attention was on McEachin, his Family, and honoring the Congressman’s Legacy.
“We will make decisions with regards to the special election,” Youngkin said. “Today, we’re really focused on remembering the great contributions he [McEachin] made. And there are folks that I’m going to want to listen to as to the best time in order to call this. I want to make sure that Virginians are represented…but today’s a day to really focus on the congressman.”
McEachin’s Chief of Staff Tara Rountree, said their Office will continue to serve Virginia’s 4th District until a New Representative is Elected. Political Analyst Rich Meagher said McEachin’s death likely means Democrats will have an Empty House Seat, when the New Congress convenes in January, 2023, giving a slim Republican Majority, 10 Seats, a little more wiggle room.
“It does mean that a number of politicians in the Democratic Party particularly — because the seat is so strongly Democratic — will be jockeying for a chance to be that nominee for whenever the special election is set,” Meagher said.
Currently, the Short List of possible Candidates for the Special Eection includes:
Del. Lamont Bagby (D-74th District): “I think it’s a little too soon to talk about it, but there is no secret I’ve always wanted to follow in my big brother’s footsteps,”.
Del. Jeff Bourne D-71st district): “trying to process the immense loss of such a wonderful father, husband and public servant.”
State Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-9th District): When asked about a potential Bid, McClellan said she’s not ready for Discussions about the Special Election. “We’re mourning him right now and that is a conversation that probably will be had eventually but I’m not prepared to have it right now. I miss my friend and mentor. That’s all I’m focused on today,” McClellan said.
State Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-16th District): “It’s way too premature for me to say yay or nay,” Sen. Morrissey said. “I will say this. I love being in the [state] Senate. I love being able to do something substantive for Virginia, and I’m not so sure that being one of 435 members would allow me to be as effective.”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (D): Kevin Zeithaml, a Spokesperson for Mayor Stoney’s Campaign Team, said a possible Congressional Bid “is not on the Mayor’s mind at all right now. He’s mourning the loss of a giant in the Richmond community and, like the rest of the city, will be looking for ways to support the McEachin family and honor his memory in the coming weeks,” Zeithaml said.
Leon Benjamin, the Republican who McEachin defeated in the midterms, said he’s praying for McEachin’s family and hasn’t considered running in the special election but that he’s “keeping all options open.”
There may be others who emerge in the coming days.
Despite McEachin’s battle with Cancer, the News of his sudden death surprised many. President Biden, Vice President Harris, Members of Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, State Lawmakers, and others shared Statements remembering McEachin.
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