McEachin, a political giant in Central Virginia, dies at 61

A political giant from Central Virginia has died.

U.S. Representative A. Donald McEachin, 61, who just three weeks ago won re-election to his fourth term as Virginia’s Fourth District representative, died Monday from complications related to cancer, officials from his office said. McEachin, a Democrat had represented the district (which includes Eastern Henrico and portions of 15 other localities between Richmond and Chesapeake) since 2017.

“Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013,” McEachin’s chief of staff, Tara Rountree, said in a statement. “Tonight, he lost that battle, and the people of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District lost a hero who always, always fought for them and put them first.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days, Rountree said. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin soon will call a special election to fill McEachin’s seat for the next two years.

Tributes to McEachin began flooding social media soon after the announcement of his death came at 10 p.m.

“He was a good man who endeavored to make others feel important and heard whether in the courtroom, the General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, or simply in a quiet moment,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who represents the Seventh District, which included Henrico’s western half until redistricting shifted it farther north earlier this year. “He brought his passion for people, his sense of humor, and his abiding faith in God to his work every day – and he was a relentless advocate for those who needed a voice, our natural resources, and the people he represented. [H]is example of leadership, his generosity of spirit, and his commitment to doing right in the world and rectifying injustices will endure for everyone whose lives he has touched, including mine.”

Virginia’s U.S. Senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, remembered McEachin as a strong leader who fought for the values he held close.

“Up until the very end, Don McEachin was a fighter,” Warner said in a statement. “Even though he battled cancer and faced other trials in recent years, he never lost his focus on social and environmental justice.”

“I met Donald McEachin in 1985 – we became fast friends,” Kaine said. “A gentle giant, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a climate warrior, a Christian example, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother.”

President Joe Biden remembered McEachin as a determined leader.

"I got to know Don after he was elected to Congress in 2016," Biden wrote in a statement. "I will always be grateful for his friendship, and his early and fierce support when I ran for President. Don was a fighter. He fought for justice, for civil rights, and for communities that are often left behind. Thanks to Don’s leadership and tireless advocacy, we passed historic legislation to combat the climate crisis and advance environmental justice. The son of a school teacher and an Army veteran, public service was in Don’s DNA. After practicing law, he served honorably in both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly, before winning election to the United States Congress. Through it all, Don always fought for the working people of Virginia. He never quit in his pursuit of justice."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called McEachin “a tireless champion for Virginia families and a force for economic opportunity and environmental justice” in a statement Tuesday morning. “He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, and he leaves behind a legacy that will improve the lives of all of our children for generations to come.”

Democrat Jennifer McClellan, who succeeded McEachin as a state Senator representing the Ninth District (which includes a portion of Henrico), said she was devastated by the news of his death.

"He was a fierce social justice warrior and protector of the environment," McClellan wrote. "It was an honor to serve the RVA area with him. Tonight, God called him home and said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'”

Democrat Lamont Baby, who represents the 74th District in the Virginia House (which McEachin represented on two different occasions) credited McEachin as a mentor who helped him ascend politically and in life.

"Words can’t express the gratitude I have for this man," Bagby wrote. "He took a chance on me. He was my first supporter. He gave me tough love. He gave me his listening ear. He gave me sound advice. He gave me opportunities.

"Sometimes he felt like a big brother, sometimes a father - not sure why he chose me but I’m grateful."

Speculation about which Democrats might run in the special election for McEachin's seat will start with his wife, Colette, who has served as Richmond's commonwealth's attorney since 2020. McClellan and Bagby are likely to be at the top of that list, as well, potentially along with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. The district is considered a Democratic stronghold; Republican Leon Benjamin lost to McEachin in 2020 (62% to 38%) and this year (64% to 36%).

Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg, who represents Henrico and the 72nd District in the Virginia House, called McEachin “the ultimate public servant.

“He represented Henrico and RVA with passion, thoughtfulness and vigor. He suffered no fools and always worked to make our community a better place, one where all people had a fair shot. May his memory be a blessing.”

"The country has lost a real fighter for justice today," wrote Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-7th District). "Rep. McEachin and I came into Congress together in 2017 and we started the first ever environmental justice taskforce, along with @RepBarragan [Nanette Barragán, CA-44th District]. He was an amazing advocate, always willing to stand up and fight for communities that have been left behind and passionate about climate justice. We will miss him terribly in Congress."

Wrote Barragán: "I am absolutely heartbroken over the news of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Congressman Donald McEachin. Don fought for the people of Virginia with passion and conviction. He stood up for what was right. And he never lost focus of fighting for social and environmental justice for all."

McEachin was born in Germany, where his father served in the U.S. Army. He graduated from St. Christopher's School in Richmond, then earned a bachelor's degree in political history from American University in 1982 and a law degree from the University of Virginia four years later. He later became a partner in the McEachin and Gee law firm.

He ran for the 74th District seat in the House of Delegates in 1995 and won, then was re-elected twice before seeking office as Virginia's attorney general in 2001. He lost that race to Republican Jerry Kilgore. Then he reclaimed his former 74th seat in 2005 after first having defeated his Democratic successor, Floyd Miles, in the party's primary by just 44 votes.

McEachin then ousted longtime state Senator Benjamin Lambert during a Democratic primary in 2007 and won the Ninth District Senate seat that year and again in 2011 before shifting to Congress.