Donald McEachin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald McEachin
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 2017 – November 28, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Randy Forbes |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 9th district |
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| In office January 9, 2008 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Lambert |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer McClellan |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 74th district |
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| In office January 11, 2006 – January 9, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Floyd Miles |
| Succeeded by | Joe Morrissey |
| In office January 10, 1996 – January 9, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Ball |
| Succeeded by | Floyd Miles |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Aston Donald McEachin
October 10, 1961 Nuremberg, Bavaria, West Germany (now Germany) |
| Died | November 28, 2022 (aged 61) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Colette McEachin
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | |
Aston Donald McEachin (pronounced mə-KEE-chən; October 10, 1961 – November 28, 2022) was an American politician and lawyer. He served as a U.S. Representative for Virginia from 2017 until his death in 2022. His district included the state capital, Richmond, and parts of its surrounding areas.
Donald McEachin was a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining the U.S. Congress, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 to 2002, and again from 2006 to 2008. He then served in the Senate of Virginia from 2008 to 2017. In 2016, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the first African American nominated by a major party for Virginia's Attorney General. He was also the third African American elected to Congress from Virginia.
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Early Life and Education
Donald McEachin was born in Nuremberg, Germany. His father was serving in the United States Army at the time. He attended St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Virginia.
McEachin went to American University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political history in 1982. He then studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1986. Later, in 2008, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University. After finishing law school, McEachin started his own law firm in Richmond, called McEachin and Gee.
Serving Virginia
Donald McEachin had a long career serving the people of Virginia.
Virginia House of Delegates
McEachin was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1995. He represented the 74th district for three terms. In 2001, he ran for Attorney General of Virginia. He won the Democratic primary election but lost the main election to Jerry Kilgore.
In 2005, he ran for the 74th House district again. He won the Democratic primary by a small number of votes and then won the general election.
Virginia Senate
In 2007, McEachin ran for the Senate of Virginia. He challenged the current senator for the 9th district, Benjamin Lambert. McEachin won the primary election and then won the general election with a large majority of the votes. He was reelected without opposition in 2011.
United States House of Representatives
In 2017, Donald McEachin became a U.S. Representative for Virginia's 4th congressional district. He worked on important issues for his state and the country.
Committee Work
During his time in the 117th Congress, McEachin was a member of several important committees:
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy
- Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Energy and Mineral Resources
- Oversight and Investigations
- Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
Caucus Memberships
McEachin was also part of special groups in Congress:
- New Democrat Coalition
- Congressional Black Caucus
Later Life and Passing
In 2018, Donald McEachin shared that he had been treated for colorectal cancer in 2014. He encouraged people to get regular health check-ups.
Donald McEachin passed away at his home in Richmond on November 28, 2022, at the age of 61. He died from complications of cancer. His death happened just a few weeks after he was reelected for his fourth term in the 2022 elections. Many political leaders, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Virginia's U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, shared their sadness at his passing.
Personal Life
Donald McEachin was married to Colette McEachin. They had three children and lived in Richmond. In 2019, his wife, Colette, became the Commonwealth's Attorney for Richmond. She had worked in that office for 20 years.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (2000–)
