Rep. Donald McEachin died Monday night at 61 following complications from colorectal cancer.

The Democrat had represented Virginians for several decades, first in the General Assembly, then Congress. 

His chief of staff announced his death in a press release.

"Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013," wrote Tara Rountree, McEachin's chief of staff. 

"Tonight he lost that battle."

McEachin was re-elected earlier this month to his fourth term in Congress.

He was the third-ever African American to represent Virginia in the U.S. House.

McEachin was a state delegate in the 1990s and mid-aughts and then served as a state senator for almost a decade before moving to Congress.

McEachin represented Virginia’s Fourth District, which previously included much of  Chesapeake and Suffolk. 

Under redistricting that first took effect in this month’s election, his district stretched from Emporia north to Petersburg and Richmond.

Following McEachin’s death, praise from his colleagues started rolling in.

Sen. Tim Kaine said in a statement he and McEachin were "fast friends" when they met in the 1980s.

"Our kids were the same age, we shared a statewide ticket with Mark Warner, and we’ve been together in the Virginia federal delegation for years," Kaine wrote. 

"I was last with him on election night three weeks ago, celebrating his win. He was a gentle giant, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a climate warrior, a Christian example, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother.” 

Longtime Hampton Roads Congressman Bobby Scott of the Third District called McEachin a “relentless champion for all Virginians.”

He and First District Rep. Rob Wittman led a moment of silence in the House Tuesday for McEachin.

Scott and others, including Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, cited McEachin’s devotion to environmental topics such as climate policy.

The League of Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group, said in a statement that the country “just lost an unmatched advocate for justice, equity and climate action.”

The Congressman co-founded Virginia’s Environment and Renewable Energy Caucus, led several national environment committees and worked on climate legislation ultimately embedded in the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation said he also worked to reduce pollution in local waterways.

“Congressman McEachin understood that every family — whether in the East End of Richmond or any community across America — deserves clean air, clean water and a healthy planet," Pelosi said in a statement.

"He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, and he leaves behind a legacy that will improve the lives of all of our children for generations to come."

Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered flags lowered to half-staff until sunset on Wednesday in memory of McEachin.

McEachin is survived by his wife, Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin, and their three adult children Mac, Briana and Alexandra. 

McEachin’s office said arrangements will be announced in the coming days.