Virginia State Senator Ben Chafin died Friday of COVID-19 complications.
Chafin’s office confirmed his death in a WJHL press release, which stated that the 60-year-old lawmaker had been hospitalized at the VCU Medical Center for the past two weeks.
The senator is survived by his wife and three children, the report said.
In response to the tragic news, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam pays tribute to Chafin by calling him a “strong lawyer” and a “good man”.
‘He loved the outdoors, and he loved serving people even more.
“He did his best to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous voice in expanding health care for people who need it,” Northam said of Chafin in a statement obtained by the news broadcast.
Chafin has served the state since 2013 when he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.
The following year he was elected to the senate.