Virginia Sets Special Election to Replace Late Rep. McEachin in US House

Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) speaks during a rally outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 20, 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has scheduled a special election for Feb. 21, 2023, to replace the late U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.), who died last month soon after winning reelection.

The governor, a Republican, announced the date in a communication to election officials in counties that are part of Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, which McEachin represented.

The U.S. Constitution states that when vacancies arise for House seats, the executive authority, or governor, shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancies. Virginia code states that when a vacancy arises or when a representative-elect dies or resigns, the governor shall issue such a writ.

“Upon receipt of written notification by a representative or representative-elect of his resignation as of a stated date, the Governor may immediately issue a writ to call the election,” the code reads.

Candidates, who can file for the special election through Dec. 23, must gather at least 1,000 signatures to run.

Candidates Emerge

Several candidates have already launched bids, including Virginia Delegate Lamont Bagby, a Democrat.

“No one will ever be able to replace Donald McEachin but I promised him, his wife, Colette, and his children that his legacy would live on forever,” Bagby said in a statement, noting that he wants to “take on radical Republicans who are trying to reverse the progress we have made” in Virginia.

Lawyer Joe Preston and businessman Tavorise Marks also have begun bids.

Highlighting his service in the U.S. Army, Marks said he isn’t a “career politician” while describing himself as “a Progressive Democrat.”

Virginia Sen. Jennifer McClellan, another Democrat, filed a statement of candidacy, and her team told media outlets that she would be making a “major announcement” on Dec. 13.

McEachin won reelection in November with nearly 64 percent of the vote. He defeated Republican Leon Benjamin, who has said that he'll run in the special election.

McEachin

McEachin, 61, died in late November after a battle with cancer, according to his office.

Tara Rountree, the late congressman’s chief of staff, said that “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 4th Congressional District lost a hero who always, always fought for them and put them first,” Rountree said. “Until a new representative is elected, our office will remain open and continue to serve our constituents.”

McEachin was preparing to serve his fourth term in Congress, all representing the 4th Congressional District. Before entering the House, he spent two decades in the Virginia legislature.