Former Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr. who led the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1970 to 1974 passed away on Thursday morning at his home in Kilmarnock, Va.

Holton served as the first Republican governor of Virginia first since Reconstruction. An influential leader in Virginia politics and on the national stage, he was arguably Virginia’s most progressive governor. Holton is best remembered as a champion against racial discrimination who ended segregation in the Commonwealth. During his tenure, Holton oversaw the desegregation of Virginia’s public schools and went as far as to have his children attend majority Black schools in Richmond. 

Holton’s daughter Anne Holton is married to U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who also served as governor of Virginia and was the 2016 Democratic nominee for Vice President. 

“I mourn the loss of my father-in-law Linwood Holton. He was more than a father-in-law — he was my friend and my public service role model” Kaine said in a statement. “His courageous efforts to end racial discrimination in Virginia, born out of a deep religious conviction about the equality of all God’s children, made him a moral pillar for so many. Lin and Jinks have been the key inspiration for my wife Anne’s public service career.”

Holton’s service to Virginia’s public schools did not end with his fight for desegregation. During his tenure, he also pushed to raise the state income tax in order to use the revenue to fund education and transportation programs. His policies are far from the modern Republican Party. In his later years, Holton endorsed Democratic candidates including his son-in-law and President Barack Obama in 2008.

After his time as governor, Holton served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

“Governor Holton’s legacy of progress and inclusion, and his dedication to civil rights can still be felt in every corner of Virginia, and I personally have looked to him as inspiration in the work that I have done during my time in public service,” Attorney General Mark Herring said in a statement.

Holton’s impact on Virginia politics and the lives of all Virginians is immeasurable.

“Linwood Holton changed what it means to serve as Governor of Virginia. He knew defeat at the ballot box before victory—and when he won, he made every moment count,” said Governor Ralph Northam in a statement. “If you want to know what American strength looks like, look at the famous photographs of Governor Holton—smiling, as he walked his children to Richmond’s public schools during the tensest moments of desegregation. He faced down Virginia’s demons and enabled this Commonwealth to look ahead.”

Holton should be remembered as a great reformist and a champion of change and progress who pushed Virginia forward and helped make the Commonwealth what it is today. He paved the way forward for Virginia, and he served as a shining beacon of light in the darkness that was once the Capital of the Confederacy.

Governor Northam has issued a directive stating that all Virginia flags are to be flown at half-mast for the next 30 days in honor of Governor Holton.