Virginia state senator Ben Chafin died from COVID-19 on January 1 2021. Chafin was a former cattle farmer and represented Virginia’s 38th District. He was a state senator from 2014 until his death in 2021.
Chafin Had Been In The Hospital With Coronavirus for Weeks. “A senator since 2014, Chafin, 60, had been hospitalized for about two weeks with the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.” [Washington Post]
Official Statement on Chafin Death. “”State Senator Augustus Benton (Ben) Chafin, Jr., a native son of Russell County located in Southwest Virginia, passed away on January 1, 2021 from Covid-19 complications,” the statement said. The Republican lawmaker’s family thanked the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, for “its vigorous care and heartfelt support during his two weeks of medical services there.”” [Chafin Family]
VA Governor Ralph Northam Praised Chafin. “Reacting to the tragic news, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam paid homage to Chafin, calling him a “strong advocate” and a “good man.” “He loved the outdoors, and he loved serving people even more.” [NY Post]
Videos: Reaction To Death Of Ben Chafin
WJHL report on Ben Chafin death:
WAVY report on Sen. Ben Chafin’s COVID-19 death:
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.