Ohio Congressman Found Dead

The story is still developing, according to CNN.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ohio Rep. Paul Gillmor was found dead in his apartment Wednesday, a Republican leadership aide said.

The aide said the body of the 68-year-old Republican was found by staff members who went to his apartment after he failed to show up for work. There was no immediate word on the cause of his death. Gillmor's office did not respond to a reporter's call.

Gillmor, who represented Ohio's 5th District in the Bowling Green area of the state, was first elected to Congress in 1988.

The aide spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.

Gillmor, who served as a judge advocate in the Air Force after graduating law school, won a seat in the Ohio state senate in 1966, and served there for 22 years, rising to the senate presidency. After an unsuccessful run for governor in 1986, Gillmor was elected to the U.S. House in 1988 after eking out a 27-vote victory in the primary.

As a House member was a little-known but solid Republican vote, and a reliable conservative on social issues.

Condolences to his friends and family.

His bio here and website here.

We'll update as events warrant.

H/T: Killgore Trout.

UPDATE: From Jackie Kucinich at The Hill.

Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio) passed away suddenly Tuesday night, according to his office. He was 68.

According to an inter-conference email obtained by The Hill, Gillmor did not show up to the office this morning causing his staff to become concerned. When they went to his apartment to check on him, they found that the lawmaker had passed away.

Capitol Police is currently investigating, but sources believe that the 10-term lawmaker may have had a heart attack.

In November, Gillmor won his district with 57 percent of the vote, holding on to his seat in a year that saw Democrats take over a GOP Senate seat and the governor’s mansion in Ohio.

A special election will be necessary to find someone filling out the rest of the term. While Republicans are favored to retain the seat, such an election will likely be costly and an added burden to the GOP.

Nice to see Ms. Kucinich note how this will be a burden to the GOP.

The Kos Kidz are trying to contain their glee. Another post here.

More compassionate lefties here.

I don’t know folks, considering that humanity can only make changes when people die and take their attitudes with them, I can understand the ones who celebrate any little victory for progress. He is after all ONE OF THE REPUBLICANS FROM OHIO. Directly responsible for stealing the last election and the cause of many US troopers deaths. I don’t want to look the troopers families in the face and say nice things about Ohio republicans. Maybe you are stronger or more hypocritical then I am.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:00 AM - PDT

Sadness!
This insensitivity is just fodder for the Right. I wouldn’t be shocked if Hannity or Rush were to jump on these dumbass comments and use THEM devisively. Don’t play their game. If you imbicles want to be politically prudent with someones death, SHUT THE HELL UP! That’d be a step in the “correct” direction. Don’t step right, or you’ll step in it!
Quote This Comment
September 5th, 2007 at 10:04 AM - PDT

UPDATE II: PJM's Richard Miniter has an eyewitness account.