WJHL: “Virginia state Sen. Ben Chafin (R-Lebanon) died Friday from COVID-19 complications, the senator’s office confirmed Friday night. Chafin had been hospitalized at VCU Medical Center for two weeks, according to a news release. The Russell County native represented the 38th District, which includes several Southwest Virginia counties. He first served in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2013 before being elected to the state Senate in 2014. Voters re-elected Chafin in 2019. In a statement, Gov. Ralph Northam said ‘we have all lost a good man.’ Del. Terry Kilgore called Chafin a true leader and a strong advocate for Southwest Virginia. U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith said Chafin was a ‘dedicated public servant’ who cared deeply for the people of Southwest Virginia.”