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Ben Chafin

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Ben Chafin
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 38th district
In office
September 18, 2014 – January 1, 2021
Preceded byPhillip Puckett
Succeeded byTravis Hackworth
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 4th district
In office
January 8, 2014 – September 18, 2014
Preceded byJoseph P. Johnson
Succeeded byTodd Pillion
Personal details
Born
Augustus Benton Chafin Jr.

(1960-05-18)May 18, 1960
Abingdon, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 2021(2021-01-01) (aged 60)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLora Lee Carr
Children3
RelativesTeresa M. Chafin
EducationEast Tennessee State University (BA)
University of Richmond School of Law (JD)

Augustus Benton Chafin Jr. (May 18, 1960 – January 1, 2021) was an American politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from the 4th district in 2014, and in the Senate of Virginia from the 38th district from 2014 to 2021, as a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and education

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Augustus Benton Chafin Jr. was born on May 18, 1960, in Abingdon, Virginia, to Augustus Benton Chafin Sr. and Mary Miller. He was married to Lora Lee Car for thirty-eight years and had three children with her. Chafin graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1982, and later graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law with a juris doctor.[1][2][3] His sister, Teresa M. Chafin, was elected to the Supreme Court of Virginia.[4]

In 1986, Chafin created a law firm, Chafin Law Firm, in Lebanon, Virginia. He served as counsel for the Russell County Industrial Development Authority for eighteen years and served on the First Bank and Trust's board of directors, which his father has aided in the creation of.[5][4]

Career

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Virginia House of Delegates

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During the 2013 Virginia House of Delegates election, Chafin sought a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates from the 4th district as a Republican. Incumbent Democratic Representative Joseph P. Johnson was retiring and Chafin faced no opposition in the general election.[5][6]

Senate of Virginia

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In 2013, Senator Phillip Puckett resigned from the Senate of Virginia causing a special election. Chafin defeated Democratic nominee Dean Michael Hymes and independent Rickey Allen Mullins in the special election becoming the first Republican elected to the 38th Senate district since George F. Barnes won during the 1971 election.[4][7][8][9] Chafin and Hymes both raised over $700,000 for their campaigns.[10] He was reelected in the 2015 and 2019 elections.[11][12]

Chafin served on the Education and Health, Judiciary, Privileges and Elections, and Rehabilitation and Social Services committees in the state senate.[3]

Death

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Chafin was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 in December 2020, and died from complications of COVID-19 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia.[4] A special election was called by Governor Ralph Northam to select a successor, which was won by Republican Travis Hackworth against Democratic nominee Laurie Buchwald.[13][14]

Electoral history

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2013 Virginia House of Delegates 4th district election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Chafin 13,959 97.91%
Write-in Write-in 298 2.09%
Total votes 14,257 100.00%
2014 Senate of Virginia 38th district special election[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Chafin 17,496 59.55%
Democratic Dean Michael Hymes 9,354 31.84%
Independent Rickey Allen Mullins 2,517 8.57%
Write-in Write-in 13 0.04%
Total votes 29,380 100.00%
2015 Senate of Virginia 38th district election[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Chafin (incumbent) 31,025 98.30%
Write-in Write-in 537 1.70%
Total votes 31,562 100.00%
2019 Senate of Virginia 38th district election[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Chafin (incumbent) 30,295 63.52%
Independent George William McCall III 16,874 35.38%
Write-in Write-in 528 1.11%
Total votes 47,697 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ "Virginia State Senator Dies Of COVID-19 Complications". Virginia Mercury. January 1, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Virginia Senator Ben Chafin passes due to COVID-19 complications". The Southwest Times. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Senator Ben Chafin". Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Virginia state senator dies of covid-19". The Washington Post. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Russell Co. attorney to run for 4th District Va. House seat". Bristol Herald Courier. March 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "2013 House of Delegates General Election 4th District". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Puckett: Resignation 'Hardest political decision' of my life". Bristol Herald Courier. September 19, 2019. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Special election to replace Virginia Sen. Ben Chafin set for Tuesday". WSLS 10 News. March 22, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "2014 Senate of Virginia Special General Election District 38". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Big money, sharp elbows in special election". The Progress-Index. August 18, 2014. p. A1. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "2015 Senate of Virginia General Election District 38". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "2019 Senate of Virginia General Election District 38". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "As session opens, Virginia Senate pays tribute to late Sen. Ben Chafin". Richmond Times-Dispatch. January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "UPDATE: T. Travis Hackworth victorious in special election in District 38 to replace late Sen. Ben Chafin". WFXR. March 22, 2021. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
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