Youngkin won't commit to timetable for special election to succeed late representative McEachin

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he will eventually make a decision on the date for a special election to fill the term of the late Rep. Donald McEachin, but now is a day "to really focus on the congressman."

McEachin, a Democrat whose 4th Congressional District encompasses Petersburg and the Tri-City area, died Monday night of complications from colorectal cancer 20 days after his re-election to a fourth term on Capitol Hill. He was 61.

As Virginia governor, Youngkin has the authority to schedule the election to fill unexpired terms of the state's representatives who resign from or die in office. Speculation immediately began on when that election would be and whether or not it could coincide with a special election already set for Jan. 10 to fill unexpired terms in the House of Delegates and state Senate.

Youngkin was asked about the special election Tuesday during an event in northern Virginia. He said there were "folks I'm going to want to listen to as to the best time" to choose McEachin's successor, but he would not commit yet to a firm date.

"Today, we're really focused on remembering the great contributions he made," Youngkin said of McEachin. Earlier Tuesday, Youngkin ordered all U.S. and Virginia flags to fly at half-staff through Wednesday in McEachin's memory.

More:Rep. Donald McEachin dies Monday at 61; remembered as 'gentle giant' and 'valiant leader'

Both U.S. and Virginia law give the governor the power to order the special election.

Youngkin is scheduled to be in Petersburg Wednesday morning for an event at the Pathways center on West Washington Street, where he is expected to be asked again about the special election.

President calls McEachin a 'fighter'

Meanwhile, tributes to McEachin continued to flood in, including ones from the White House and from the Republican candidate McEachin defeated in 2020 and 2022.

In Washington, President Joe Biden called McEachin a "fighter" who offered his "fierce support" when Biden ran for the White House two years ago. The president said public service "was in Don's DNA" and he "never quit" when pursuing justice.

"He fought for justice, for civil rights, and for communities that are often left behind," the prsident said in a statement. "Thanks to Don’s leadership and tireless advocacy, we passed historic legislation to combat the climate crisis and advance environmental justice."

Rev. Leon Benjamin, who unsuccessfully tried two years ago and again earlier this month to wrest the 4th District from McEachin, praised his former opponent in a Facebook post as a "hero" who never stopped fighting against the disease that eventually caused his death.

"His accomplishments and achievements will be remembered and cherished in Virginia and around this nation," Benjamin wrote. "Let us stand together at this time to be strong for the his precious wife Colette McEachin and his three children."

Retiring Petersburg City Councilor Treska Wilson-Smith posted a photo on Facebook of her and McEachin.

"I am glad to have spent time with the Gentle Giant, happy to have known him, and proud to have shared the same visions of working for the people," Wilson-Smith wrote. "Rest in Peace."

Shortly after Wilson-Smith's Facebook post, the city of Petersburg released a statement saying that city officials were "confident that his legacy of support for underserved communities, civil rights, and environmental justice will live on."

In the House of Representatives Tuesday night, members of the Virginia congressional delegate took the floor to honor their fallen colleague. They were led by Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Newport News, who joined McEachin as the only two Black representatives in the delegation. Scott and McEachin are also the second and third Black men, respectively, to represent Virginia in the House of Representatives; the first was John Mercer Langston, a former 19th-century president of what is now Virginia State University.

Who will run to succeed him?

As the district continues to mourn McEachin, the focus on who will succeed him in Washington is expected to sharpen in the coming days and weeks.

On the Republican side, Benjamin obviously will get some attention. A message left for Jessica Sparks, Benjamin's former campaign manager, inquirig about potential interest in a third run was not immediately returned.

Two names on the Democratic side that were seen as eventual McEachin successors are also being rumored — state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond, who followed McEachin in the state Senate, and former Del. Lashrecse Aird of Petersburg.

Aird is opposing state Sen. Joe Morrissey in next June's Democratic primary for the new 13th Senate District seat. McClellan, who was born in Petersburg and raised in Ettrick and Matoaca, is a perennial candidate for higher office in Virginia. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination last year.

A McClellan spokesperson said in a text to The Progress-Index that "today, we're just talking about Rep. McEachin's legacy." A message left for Aird was not immediately returned.

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: Governor deflects questions about special election for 4th District