Former Virginia Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, a Democrat known as the “transportation governor” and for his work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and increase foreign trade, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. He was 79.

Gov. Ralph S. Northam issued a statement saying Mr. Baliles died Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family in Charlottesville. He had been battling cancer.

“Gov. Baliles fought for rural Virginians, promoted civil discourse and was the epitome of a true public servant,” Gov. Northam said, adding that the state flags will fly at half-staff for the next 30 days in the late former governor’s honor.

Gov. Baliles, who served from 1986 to 1990, ran on a successful Democratic ticket that was hailed as diverse in its day with its inclusion of an African-American and a woman. L. Douglas Wilder was elected with him as lieutenant governor and Mary Sue Terry was elected as Virginia attorney general.