Ohio gov will call special election to fill Gillmor's seat (heavy Repub district)

[Maddy McCall]

Ohio's second-largest district in the state district in the state will hold a special election following the death of Republican Congressman Paul Gillmor. Gillmor didn't show up for work this morning and was found dead in his apartment. Gillmor 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 Gillmor 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 Gillmor 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 Gillmor.

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

[saracat]

1. It is never too early to talk of a successor!

You can bet they are behind closed doors.As are the Dems!

[Crabby Appleton]

2. That district was 57% R - 43% D in last Nov election for

that house seat.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Not that bad of a showing for Weirauch's first run for political office.

Imagine what an established Democratic candidate could do against a Republican. Maybe the district isn't as "solidly Republican" as the article says.

What do people from Michigan think?

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Maybe they've seen and had enough of the GOP crap.

I can hope.

[Maddy McCall]

5. It will be an interesting election to watch.

For Gillmor to be an incumbent in the 2006 election, he didn't do so swell against a woman (the Dem) who had never run for office before.

[OzarkDem]

Its an economically depressed area

even the GOP types are looking for someone new.

[lpbk2713]

6. Case in point: Mean Jean Schmidt.

[Gato Moteado]

7. what does john boehner know about dedication and distinction?

nt

[Gato Moteado]

8. let's wheel out the corpse and get the special election going!

i think a dem could take this seat.

[madmom]

9. HOLY SHIT.... that's my rep, I was a work all day didn't hear a thing till this

I got one thing the say .....AMF!!!!!as in adios mother fucker! Yes this is repug country and I'm really surprised the whole town didn't come to a complete shut-down.

[Maddy McCall]

10. Ok...I'm trying to keep a sense of decorum about the dead...

but "AMF"??

:spray:

:rofl:

Thanks for making me laugh. :D

[Gato Moteado]

12. congratulations!

;)

[Bitwit1234]

11. So if the Idaho governor can appoint

someone if Craig resigns. Can't the Democratic governor of Ohio find a way to appoint someone to take Gillmor's place.

[tritsofme]

13. All members of the House are elected by the people, no exceptions.

This is not case in the Senate as spelled out by the Constitution.

A senator appointed after a vacancy would only serve until the next Congress is sworn in, unless he runs in the general election.