Sad News: My Congressman, Paul Gillmor, Has Died

U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor, socially conservative and pro-life Republican from the 5th District of Ohio (and my Congressman), passed away today:

Ohio's second-largest district in the state will hold a special election following the death of Republican Congressman Paul Gilmor. Gilmor didn't show up for work this morning and was found dead in his apartment. Gimor was 68 years old and the Representative for Bowling Green and most of Toledo's suburbs.

His colleagues in the house were stunned by his death which is said to have been from natural causes.

"Born, raised and educated in our home state of Ohio, Paul never lost sight of the reason he came to Congress _ to serve this great institution and his constituents with dedication and distinction," House Republican Leader John Boehner, also of Ohio, said in a statement about Gilmor who served nearly 2 decades in the house.

Gov. Ted Strickland will have to call a special election for his seat in the house. The district that Gilmor served is solid territory for the GOP so Democrats most likely won't have much of a challenge whoever the party puts in as a candidate for the seat. GOP officials state that it is too early to talk of a possible successor for Gilmor.

Gillmor, who was 68, is survived by his wife Karen and five children, daughters Linda and Julie and sons Paul and twins Adam and Connor.

Requiescat in pace.