Covington Mayor Fred Forbes Dies

The longtime city council member had served as mayor since 2025.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:57pm

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Covington, Virginia Mayor Fred Forbes passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Forbes had been a member of the Covington City Council since January 1, 2023, and had served as mayor since the death of the previous mayor, Lance Carson, in 2025.

Why it matters

The death of a sitting mayor is an impactful event for any local community, as it creates a leadership void that must be filled. Forbes had been a fixture in Covington politics for several years, and his passing will likely have significant implications for the city's governance and future direction.

The details

Details around the cause of Forbes' death and funeral service arrangements were not immediately available. As a longtime city council member who assumed the mayoral role in 2025 following the previous mayor's passing, Forbes' death represents a significant transition for the city of Covington.

  • Forbes had been on Covington City Council since January 1, 2023.
  • Forbes had served as mayor since the death of Mayor Lance Carson in 2025.
  • Forbes passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Fred Forbes

The late mayor of Covington, Virginia who had served on the city council since 2023 and as mayor since 2025.

Lance Carson

The previous mayor of Covington, Virginia who passed away in 2025, leading to Forbes' ascension to the mayoral role.

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The takeaway

The death of a sitting mayor is always a significant event for a local community, and Forbes' passing will likely have far-reaching implications for Covington's governance and future direction. As the city mourns the loss of its longtime leader, the focus will now turn to how the city council and community will navigate this transition of power.