Former Rep. Owen Pickett (D-Va.) died Wednesday night. He was 80.

Pickett served in the House from 1987 to 2001, representing Virginia’s 2nd district. He was born in Richmond, Va., on August 31, 1930. Prior to his time as a Member, he worked as a lawyer in Richmond and was in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1972 to 1986. He also served as the chairman of the Democratic Party in Virginia.

Scott Rigell, the Republican nominee running against Rep. Glenn Nye (D) for Pickett’s former seat, issued a statement Thursday morning: “I was deeply saddened to hear that my friend, Owen Pickett, passed away. Owen provided a great service to our country and to our district. He tirelessly fought for our military families and veterans, and was a principled leader in the House of Delegates and in Congress.”