Wow this seems completely out of nowhere...

Man may he rest in peace. A true public servant until the end. At least he got to see that Richmond continued to stand behind him and we will continue the fight!

Glad he can finally stop suffering. I know he's been sick for years and was in a lot of pain. By no means perfect, but a very good representative of Richmond and I've been happy to vote for him every time

Sad. Kinda surprised he ran recently, if his health was that compromised.

So what happens to representation for his district now?

I was having the same thoughts. His health must deteriorated quite rapidly.

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Don't know how he will be replaced but considering how close the politics are in the House that it will attract a lot of attention

From what I've read, it'll most likely lead to a special election. I hope Richmond is ready to vote again because Republicans will surely try to take advantage of this opportunity.

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Just terrible.

He was very obviously loosing a ton of weight the past couple years. What an awful disease

D+30 seat. Not competitive. Only question is which Democrat will replace him after the special election.

This is incorrect! You must be elected to serve in the House of Representatives. Governors can only appoint people to fill Senate Vacancies.

There will be a Special Election. Until that election occurs, the seat will be vacant.

Sonny & Cher were not even married when he passed away. His second wife, Mary replaced him in congress….

https://news.yahoo.com/mary-bono-replaced-her-husband-203910505.html

May God bless and comfort his family at this sad time

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This post is so wrong. Mary Bono Mack was Sonny’s widow, NOT Cher. Also Virginia is different from Florida. Minor detail but since states determine how elections work an important detail all the same.

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Is this Stoney's seat to lose ?

MORRISEY GOIN FEDERAL????

https://www.vpap.org/offices/us-representative-4/district/

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Oh no! Who will keep our post office running now? I liked how focused he was on local issues.

Wow. I literally just voted for him. Sad for his family :( I thought the weight loss was intentional, had no idea he has cancer

And Sonny Bono was from the California delegation, not Florida.

Is there much Republicans could do, though? That district usually votes 60%+ Democrat. Asking seriously, I just moved here 2 years ago and still getting to know local politics.

Yes to Stoney! Let’s get him out of Richmond so we can get a better operational mayor! He’ll be able to do a lot less damage in the House. He might be more effective there than as a mayor, since his background is purely political (no experience doing anything except campaigns, party stuff).

Also would support Joe Morissey going federal, because the national media would have so much fun with him! He needs a bigger audience!

I've heard it's the most solidly democratic seat in Virginia...

Stoney has done a fair job as a mayor compared to the previous mayors. Sure there's some mishaps he made, but he doesn't come close the disaster that Jones was.

I think this seat is probably Jennifer McClellan's to lose if she wants it.

Not likely- I hear people say that democrats are less likely to turn out for special elections, but I don't think there is much merit to it. If that is an effect, I don't think it would be a large enough effect to matter here. But obviously everyone should go vote again.

OMG, I hope she doesn't right now. We need her in the State Senate!!

Oh damn! He’s been representing me for years! A man of integrity which is hard to find in politics.

I'm sure it'll be fine with the % we have, But it will be a total shit show while they try.

I didn't expect this. Wish they had run someone else for his seat

Stoney is a vast improvement over the last few mayors. I think people dislike him because of his disingenuous nature and everyone knowing RVA is just a stepping stone for him.

Honestly, I think Congress is too “low” for him. He’s looking at the gubernatorial race.

He had a lot of hubris to run for re-election knowing that he was dealing with this.

“This pile of crap is slightly less crappy than the other piles of crap.”

He was barely recognizable, I had to do a double take when I saw him at an event not long ago. Really sad news.

Stoney

Edit: Y'all can downvote all you want, but I'm betting he goes for it.

Worked for the presidential race

I’d like to see them try to win this district. It would be funny to see.

ugh :/ I bet you're right, though.

McClellan is probably most likely.

Damn. Fuck cancer. I don't wish that suffering on anyone.

I totally agree.

Every race.

Jen would mop the floor with Levar, but I believe she intends to run for Governor again. I could be wrong though.

I met him a couple of times very nice polite and sweet man

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One of the last things McEachin did before passing was go after Stoney at a RISC meeting for not taking measures to curb gun violence. I now think this was foreshadowing.

At least someone said it. Sorry for his families loss, but this is the kind of out of touch decision-making I expect from the elite (unfortunately).

Truly.

☹️

This is sad. Though I didn't know him, I do know his wife, and think she is great. And have always heard the same about him, that he was a good man.

yet another case of reddit downvoting a solid take - could well be Stoney. I bet he and McClellan were up all night pondering. I had the same thought when I heard McEachin died last night.

It's probably Stoney's best shot honestly. I wonder if he wins, who runs for Mayor?

I'm not even sure she'd win. She'd get the white progressives, but it's a majority black district, and progressives are centered in north city of Richmond

This seat was drawn for black democrats. Republicans don't have a chance in hell at it honestly.

there is no chance a republican wins this one

I was wondering about Morrissey... then I was like naw.... but Morrissey...

I think this is Stoney's best shot

black democratic machine has been behind Stoney traditionally. I don't think that's clearcut.

I would really rather not be known as a region for Morrissey. It would be nice to keep him our local shame

I don't know how I feel about it, but this makes some sense.

What are the chances Richmond voters actually vote for a nuts and bolts, fix the potholes and build bus shelters mayor though? We are more likely to get some form of Stephanie lynch or whatshername, the woman who ran against Stoney from the left last time, with no experience managing anything

sad truth. But Jack Berry would have been better. And I voted for Stoney

DC=plenty of more Nannie’s to bang!!

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now is the chance to strike. hopefully they put up a a good candidate. it would be nice to have two good ones to choose from for once.

this is crazy. it must have taken a turn for the worse very quickly. I hope he was able to get all his affaires in order and spend quality time with his family. RIP

I had met him before at events around town, really nice guy, super genuine cared about the community. So sad to hear and I hope his family is ok.

I’m conflicted through, knowing he was this sick I kind of wish he had stepped down from his seat. He was reelected what 3 weeks ago, and now there has to be a special election.

His seat was his career. I imagine it would be hard for anyone to abandon their career because they decided things were going to get worse instead of better.

The state will have to call a special election to fill his seat for the remainder of his term.

I have worked directly with McClellan and I can tell you she is an excellent public servant and I don’t think this scheming implication is deserved.

I’m finding out the hard way that shit can come back aggressively. My friend just recently got diagnosed with metasticized cancer all over his body after just having a pet scan in July with 0 evidence of tumors. He had been following up for years prior to that with 0 problems. I had no idea that shit could turn so quick.

This seat was drawn by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Our state is not actually partisan gerrymandered right now, and the map is considered to be pretty fair. Not that I voted for the constitutional amendment that got us to this.

He was a long time fighter for working people and represented working Virginians and our families well. He truly was a friend to the working class of Virginia, and will truly be missed.

Good, one fewer election I need to pay attention to/participate in

Sorry for your friend. Cancer fucking sucks.

In theory, Virginia is no longer partisan gerrymandered. However, the Supreme Court of Virginia is majority republican, and judges these days are partisan.

THere's nothing wrong with individuals privately pondering their own political future yesterday, today, last week, or next month.

People are perfectly capable of regretting the loss of a friend/colleague and also pondering their own future at the same time.

McClellan would make a great congresswoman, but as a Virginian I prefer her as a State Senator or Governor dealing with issues that are more day to day concerning my life and my family.

Stoney however can go to Congress and spend his day raising money for his party- the real work of Congress.

It is possible to both mourn the loss of someone and consider what will happen with their position. I don't consider that scheming, it's just political reality.

I mean, you should still vote - but the race is probably going to be in whatever primary process they have if they decide to primary. IDK the process.

This is so incredibly wrong on so many levels that I'm removing it.

What a shitty take. He could have lived any number of years. No one knows how much time you have left on this earth, it's probably a better idea to plan for being here tomorrow than not.

Please vote.

> I hope he was able to get all his affaires in order

He was diagnosed in 2014 and started treatment then. I'm sure he had his affairs in order.

> knowing he was this sick I kind of wish he had stepped down from his seat

He was diagnosed in 2014. Should he have just not done anything the past 8 years?

Hence why I didn’t vote for the amendment. But most analysts consider our maps balanced.

sometimes that stuff comes back with a vengeance and with little warning. he was clearly planning on at least two more years in the house. I'm sure he had things well taken care of but he must have thought he had more time.

> comes back with a vengeance and with little warning

He's had repeated complications since then. I'm sure he was planning on having more time (aren't we all?) but I'm sure he had some warning, even if the end was sudden.

I have known McClellan for almost 30 years, and don't have any idea what you are talking about. Are you saying she's a political incompetent? She isn't. Nor is thinking about one's future in politics scheming.

But to say she is incompetent at scheming is utterly unfair. She's a smart woman. What sort of insane view of politics do you hold?

I really don't get why people are downvoting you. It's not like you are endorsing Stoney... you are just making a prediction, and it's probably accurate.

Sometimes I'm amazed at the stupidity on here. Though I shouldn't be.

I agree, I like the new map generally, especially compared to what came before. I voted for the constitutional amendment proudly. This district was drawn for a black democrat for all sorts of reasons, that doesn't necessarily mean gerrymandered. It's much better than the last one

you get some weirdness, like the firehouse caucus bit. But it would be really rich and heavy handed to not have a primary for this.

But I think it's up to the democrats to decide

I hope it's him, if only because we don't need party operatives in local government and this is a way to get him out. We need a well-regarded and proactive citizen of the city as mayor.

lol what? black voters freaking love her. McClellan is amazing at speaking to different groups of people. If you think she’s only good at talking to white progressives then you haven’t listened to black women loving on her time running the Richmond alumni association of delta sigma theta sorority.

She rolls up to the Capitol wearing red on Delta Day just like Louise Lucas does.

> I thought the weight loss was intentional, had no idea he has cancer

Same - I knew about the cancer but it seemed like he'd gotten better. I assumed he was getting into shape after a health battle.

What? Our roads and infrastructure are no better, schools are literally on fire, his handling of the monuments was terrible and caused tons of division in the community. He promised us a nuts and bolts boring mayor and instead we got a divisive, political, big development over the wishes of the people guy (Navy Hill, casino). He’s spending a ton of time doing things to further his career and ambition, not our city (like that ridiculous black mayor group he’s the head of). I’ve also found him very divisive - he showed his true colors when he said people were racist if they didn’t vote for the casino. I’m also really worried he’s majorally kicking the can down the road with the combined sewer issue. This is going to be a huge financial drain on the city and we need to start tackling this soon. Instead, we get nonsense like Richmond Real (which to me has strong overtones that if you don’t look like Stoney, you’re not “real” Richmond). I can’t believe that under his leadership, our school system has gotten worse. Our community used to have a very respected police force, and that trust was shattered. He’s the one appointing the leaders of these institutions.

Agree he’s better than Jones, but that is way too low a bar to clear.

Any news update when the special election will take place? I wonder what they had in place due to circumstances such as this.

We used never have our finances in order. And now we do. That’s nuts and bolts.

Yes, agree there are major issues with him.

But what I am saying is that this seat is better for him than the Governor seat he is clearly using his current position to aim for. I don’t think he would be successful at Governor because of all these issues, and he is divisive.

McEachin’s seat though is not a state wide and he can be Virginia’s AOC

Me.

The VA Supreme Court isn’t crazy partisan either though.

And the maps are fair, it’s just that the district with those cities in it will be insanely Dem.

He’s been a better governor than previous.

The bar is really low.

Not step down, I guess I mean maybe he shouldn’t have run for re-election.

Obviously he was healthy enough to be in congress while going through treatment, but did voters who elected him 3 weeks ago know his cancer had come back?

Again I’m conflicted on this, he was a great rep, I voted for him whenever he was on the ballot.

His cancer didn't come back. He died of complications from treatment.

Gov Youngkin has to call for a special election for that seat. So now we wait.

He was Kaine’s transportation secretary. TK might bump him up

I’m usually distrust all politicians except our Virginia ones, regardless of party. Shame a good leader had to pass on.

Youngkin? This is my seat, I fully expect not to have representation until I move or 2024 hits.

Leonidas B. Young, Doug Wilder (to an extent), Dwight Jones.

Ah okay, thank you, my dad who is in that area says that it will have to be before January since that is when the swear in will be. I am surprised there is nothing already set in place for sudden loss like this, like a time frame of " ICE - In Case of Emergency the 2nd Tuesday of December will be the special election"

Likely the week of Christmas they may do it, we will see, I have been studying the elections website for Virginia once a week for any update on things, and I happened to find out about the Rep passing.

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I agree. But considering how Stoney is portrayed, I can only imagine what would have happened with Jack Berry.

Good, he wanted the fucking NATIONAL GUARD to take away guns from law-abiding citizens, we do not need tyrants like him

You definitely know more about the situation that I do.

Truth

I don't believe I ever had the honor of meeting him, though I had met his wife a few times. I used to work at Pizza the Hut on Wilkinson Rd and she would come in from time to time to get a pizza. Maybe he came in once in awhile, I don't recall. I remember her though because of her coming in regularly. Very respectful woman and anytime I've seen either of their names on a ballot, I would vote for them. If I ever come across her again (in person), I definitely plan to let her know how her respectfulness stood out to me and led to me holding both of them in high regards. When it comes to people that died too soon, he's definitely on that list. I wish he could have lived a much longer life, he deserved to continue doing what he apparently loved to do.

>Good, he wanted the fucking NATIONAL GUARD to take away guns from law-abiding citizens, we do not need tyrants like him

Lemme guess, he was in favor of defunding the police, outlawing all guns, and forcing all women to have abortions, right? Yeah, no.

It's easy to make false claims about people. What you're referring to (and misquoting/misrepresenting) was him saying that the National Guard may need to be called in to help enforce constitutional laws involving guns in areas where law enforcement refuses to enforce those laws. In other words, taking guns away from law-breaking citizens, not law-abiding ones.

So your claim is completely false. Check your facts before making such wildly false claims and show some freaking respect. How would you like it if your orange savior died and everyone responded by saying that they're glad because he liked to grab women by their crotch? Even though it'd be a valid/true claim, it'd still be disrespectful. So show some respect dude.

Building the same school twice and spending the money 3x as fast as you’re supposed to to fit in election cycles is not “finances” in order.

This is an update on WTVR regarding the next election potential dates
https://www.wtvr.com/news/virginia-politics/donald-mceachin-died-20-days-after-his-reelection-november-29-2022
"There are several steps that have to be followed before McEachin's seat can be filled.

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First Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will have to announce the vacancy

Then Governor Glen Younkin will issue a writ of election. In other words, the governor will order a special election to fill the vacancy.

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That special election generally takes place within 120 days of when the vacancy is announced. If the vacancy were announced today, the deadline to hold the election would be Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The deadline for candidates to file would be 60 days before that."

Lol ok elite

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It will depend on the timing of the special election, but she could probably hold her seat through the 2023 session, which runs until the end of February.

I hope so!