Special Election Set in Virginia for US House Seat Held by Democrat Who Died

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Dec. 12 announced the date for a special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives seat that became vacant when Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) died soon after winning another term.

Youngkin, a Republican, set the election date for Feb. 21, 2023.

The governor announced the date in a communication to election officials in counties that are part of Virginia’s Fourth 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.”

Candidates can file for the special election through Dec. 23.

Candidates must gather at least 1,000 signatures to run.

Candidates Emerge

Several candidates have already launched bids.

Virginia Delegate Lamont Bagby, a Democrat, said he is running.

“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, adding 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 have also launched bids.

Highlighting his service in the U.S. Army, Marks said he is not 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 news outlets that she would be making a “major announcement” on Tuesday.

McEachin won November’s race with nearly 64 percent of the vote. He defeated Republican Leon Benjamin, who has said he will run again in the special election.

McEachin

McEachin, 61, passed away 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 Fourth Congressional District lost a hero who always, always fought for them and put them first,” she added. “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 office, all representing the fourth district. Before entering  Congress, he spent two decades in the Virginia legislature.