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Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) died Monday, just weeks after winning reelection to Congress, his office announced.
He was 61.
McEachin’s death comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expected to rely on securing every vote possible in the next Congress, when Republicans will control the House by a slim margin.
Donald McEachin: Cause of death
Rep. Donald McEachin died of the secondary effects of colorectal cancer, according to a statement released by his office
Read statement below
“We are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin,” Rountree said. “Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013. 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.”
Illness
McEachin has publicly discussed his battle with cancer, and did so as recently as two weeks ago.
At a packed movie theater hosting a “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” viewing party, McEachin stressed to the crowd “the importance of early detection,” urging regular exams, as WTVR reported at the event. “Don’t fool around. Don’t go through my journey,” McEachin said. “Go to the doctor.”
In 2018, McEachin attributed a dramatic weight loss to complications from his cancer treatment and walking miles around the Capitol every week.
The next year, he underwent two surgeries after he developed a fistula, which his doctor described to the Richmond Times-Dispatch as “an abnormal connection between the bladder and colon.” He was also hospitalized that year for a blood clot.
In 2020, McEachin told the Times-Dispatch that he was moving past the health problems that at one point had caused him to shed 60 pounds from his 6-foot-5 frame
