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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 byvacant
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 4th district
In office
January 8, 2014 – September 18, 2014
Preceded byJoe 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
Alma materEast Tennessee State (BA)
University of Richmond (JD)
OccupationLawyer, Farmer
Websitewww.benchafin.com

Augustus Benton Chafin Jr. (May 18, 1960 – January 1, 2021) was an American lawyer, farmer, and politician from Virginia. A member of the Republican Party, Chafin represented the 38th district in the Virginia Senate.

Early life

Augustus Benton Chafin Jr. was born in Abingdon, Virginia, on May 18, 1960.[1] Chafin was educated at East Tennessee State University and the University of Richmond.[1]

Career

Chafin established his own law firm in 1986. He represented the Russell County Industrial Development Authority as counsel.[2]

Chafin was elected to represent the fourth district in the Virginia House of Delegates in the 2013 elections. He ran in a special election to the Virginia Senate. He was elected with 59.55% of the vote on August 19, 2014, in a special election. Chafin's victory tipped control of the Virginia Senate back to the Republicans, 21 to 19, after Democrats won control with the swearing-in of Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam following the 2013 general election.[3]

Chafin succeeded Democrat Phillip Puckett, who resigned his seat following the 2014 General Assembly regular session.[4][5] Previously, Chafin had represented the Fourth District in the Virginia House of Delegates,[6] to which he was elected without opposition in November 2013,[7] succeeding conservative Democrat Joseph P. Johnson.[8] The Fourth comprises Dickenson County and parts of Russell, Wise, and Washington Counties.[9]

Personal life

Chafin and his wife, Lora, had three children together.[2] His sister Teresa sits on the Supreme Court of Virginia;[4] the siblings were the first members of their family to attend college.[5]

Chafin died from complications of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia at VCU Medical Center on January 1, 2021, at age 60.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "A. Benton Chafin, Jr". Virginia General Assembly. Commonwealth of Virginia. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Robinson, Allie (March 18, 2013). "Russell Co. attorney to run for 4th District Va. House seat". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "VPAP | Election Results | 38: Live Election Results". VPAP.org. The Virginia Public Access Project. August 20, 2014. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Friedenberger, Amy (February 14, 2019). "Judge Teresa Chafin, sister of Sen. Ben Chafin, elected to Virginia Supreme Court". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Vozzella, Laura (January 1, 2021). "Virginia state senator dies of covid-19". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Russell County delegate announces candidacy for Senate vacancy". WCYB-TV. June 9, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  7. ^ Igo, Stephen (November 5, 2013). "Kern ousts Cornett from Wise County School Board". Kingsport Times-News. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  8. ^ Madsen, Nancy (November 5, 2013). "GOP retains control of House of Delegates". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Virginia House of Delegates". RVAGOV. Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond. Retrieved January 3, 2021. 4th District ... Counties of Dickenson, Russell (part), Washington (part), and Wise (part)
  10. ^ Teague, Slater (January 1, 2021). "Virginia state Sen. Ben Chafin dies from COVID-19 complications". WJHL-TV. Johnson City, Tennessee. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
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