Former GOP congressional candidate will run in 4th District special election

RICHMOND — As expected, the Republican candidate who lost the last two 4th Congressional District elections to incumbent Donald McEachin said Thursday he wants to run in the special election to fill the now-late representative’s term.

Richmond pastor Leon Benjamin posted his intentions on Facebook shortly after midnight Thursday. Benjamin said he would be the only candidate ”who can bring the concerns of the people to Washington, D.C.”

McEachin died Nov. 28 of complications from colorectal cancer, 20 days after defeating Benjamin to win a fourth term in Congress. His funeral was Wednesday in Richmond.

It was the second time in a row Benjamin was defeated for the 4th District seat. He refused to concede defeat in the 2020 election against McEachin, repeating claims made by Republicans under then-President Donald Trump that the election was rigged to favor Democrats.

During the 2022 campaign, McEachin refused to debate Benjamin for not acknowledging the 2020 defeat. in his campaign announcement Thursday, Benjamin made a passing reference to that.

“Our society was built on differences that did not cause division,” he wrote. ”The better person is the one who is not offended when others point out dislikes about them.”

Benjamin called the special election ”an opportunity to see all people get blessed.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has the authority to call for and set the date for the special election. As of right now, Youngkin has not announced his choice, but speculation is that it could come either next February or April.

Other potential GOP candidates are expected to announce their intentions in the coming days.

On the Democratic side, several names have been mentioned as possible candidates — former Del. Lashrecse Aird of Petersburg, state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond, Del. Lamont Bagby of Henrico County, and even McEachin’s widow, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin.

On Wednesday, retiring Petersburg City Councilor Treska Wilson-Smith said she was considering a run for the seat.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Richmond pastor announces GOP candidacy in special election