US Rep. Donald McEachin dies at 61

Washington(CNN) Democratic US Representative Donald McEachin passed away on Monday, his office announced. He was 61.

"We are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin," Tara Rountree, his chief of staff, said in the statement. "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."

"Until a new representative is elected, our office will remain open and continue to serve our constituents," Rountree said.

Until a special election is called, the seat will be empty. Earlier this month, McEachin was reelected with ease in the normally Democratic-leaning area of Virginia's 4th Congressional District, which encompasses Richmond, the state capital.

After serving in Virginia's General Assembly's two houses, McEachin was first elected to Congress in 2016.

In each capacity, the Virginia lawmaker promoted changes to the country's laws governing firearms, environmental protection, and access to affordable healthcare.

"This really is a dream come true folks," McEachin told supporters in his 2016 victory speech. "We know we're out here making history and that history doesn't come easy."

McEachin, who is the son of an Army veteran and a public school teacher, earned a political science degree from American University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, according to his House biography, also awarded him a Master of Divinity.

People who knew McEachin responded to the news of his passing with sincere condolences.

"Up until the very end, Don McEachin was a fighter. Even though he battled cancer and faced other trials in recent years, he never lost his focus on social and environmental justice," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia tweeted. "Tonight, Virginia has lost a great leader and I have lost a great friend."

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