Virginia State Senator Ben Chafin (R-SD38) has passed away according to Governor Ralph Northam.
“With the passing of Senator Ben Chafin, Southwest Virginia has lost a strong advocate—and we have all lost a good man,” wrote Northam in a press release. “I knew Ben as a lawmaker, an attorney, a banker, and a farmer raising beef cattle in Moccasin Valley, working the land just as generations of his family had done before him. He loved the outdoors, and he loved serving people even more. He pushed hard to bring jobs and investment to his district, and I will always be grateful for his courageous vote to expand health care for people who need it.”
Chafin died as a result of COVID-19 complications according to his office. He was treated for COVID-19 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond.
The senator was married to Lora Carr Chafin for 38 years and they had three children together, Sophia, Audra, and Augustus.
Chafin was a cattle farmer, lawyer, and banker in southwest-Virginia.
He was 60 years old.
“This is sad news to begin a new year with the loss of a kind and gracious man,” wrote Northam. “May we all recommit to taking extra steps to care for one another.”