NYT : Ohio Congressman Found Dead

Ohio Congressman Found Dead

By DAVID STOUT | Published: September 5, 2007

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 — Representative Paul Gillmor, an Ohio Republican who represented much of the northwestern and north-central part of the state, was found dead in his apartment today.

Mr. Gillmor, 68, was discovered by staff members who went to the apartment in Arlington, Va., after the congressman did not show up at his office, a Republican leadership aide told The Associated Press. An announcement from Mr. Gillmor’s office was expected shortly.

Bloomberg News said the death appeared to be of natural causes, according to Brad Mascho, a spokesman for the lawmaker. Mr. Mascho said Mr. Gillmor had been active recently, having traveled to all 16 counties in his district last week.

Mr. Gillmor’s death occurred the same day as that of former Representative Jennifer Dunn, a Republican from the Seattle area who became one of the most powerful women in Washington State politics. Ms. Dunn, 66, died in her Virginia apartment today of a blood clot, her family said.

Mr. Gillmor was first elected to Congress in 1988. The Almanac of American Politics describes his district, the Fifth, as “a solidly Republican district from the Civil War through the New Deal and up through today,” so his passing is unlikely to change the makeup of the House.

With Mr. Gillmor’s death, there are 201 Republicans in the House, to 232 Democrats, with 2 vacancies. House vacancies are filled by special election.

Mr. Gillmor was considered a moderate. While his votes on major issues were generally in line with Bush administration policies, he was one of the first Republicans to call for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

“As a result of very public errors, Attorney General Gonzales has become a lightning rod and has distracted from the mission of the Department of Justice,” Mr. Gillmor said in March, as the controversy over the dismissals of nine United States attorneys was unfolding. “I think it would be better for the president and the department if the attorney general were to step down.”

Mr. Gillmor was a member of the Energy and Commerce and the Financial Services committees. A lawyer, he served 22 years in the Ohio State Senate before going to Washington. He was married and had five children.