RICHMOND — Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Virginia) passed away on Monday, only weeks after being reelected to Congress, according to his office. He was 61.
Since 2017, McEachin had represented the 4th District of Virginia, which runs from Richmond to the North Carolina border. Prior to that, he served as a state senator for nine years and a delegate for eight years.
Despite the fact that McEachin’s health issues were well-known for years, his passing nonetheless struck many by surprise. Tonight, hearing the news of his passing sent a jolt of sorrow through me, as Lucas tweeted.
McEachin has spoken openly about his struggle with cancer, most recently two weeks ago. WTVR reported that in a full movie theater hosting a “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” viewing party, McEachin emphasized “the importance of early detection” and urged frequent checks. “Don’t play games. “Do not take my path,” McEachin said. “Visit the physician.”
In 2018, McEachin attributed his substantial weight reduction to problems from his cancer treatment as well as his weekly five-mile walk around the Capitol. The following year, he underwent two surgeries after developing a fistula, which his doctor described as “an abnormal connection between the bladder and colon” to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In the same year, he was hospitalized for a blood clot.
