Ohio Rep. Paul Gillmor found dead in his apartment
05 Sep 2007
Breaking news Ohio Rep. Gillmor found dead in his Washington apartment, Republican aide says.
WASHINGTON — Congressman Paul Gillmor was found dead in his Washington apartment Wednesday morning, an aide to the Congressman confirmed.
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.
After the initial mourning process, names will start to come out as far as who will be the suggested replacement…
Update…CNN has more…
Paul Gillmor was in our office last week, talking about NW Ohio and upcoming legislation that will impact our community. He was firm in his beliefs and expressed a practical optimism about our future that was free of partisan baggage. We discussed several articles and projects, and he seemed energetic and fired up. It is a shock to hear this news today.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:00 pmSomeone wasted no time in updating the Wikipedia page about Special Elections held to replace a US House of Representative member who dies or steps down from office:
Link
Robin Weirauch who is currently campaigning for that seat in 2009 is one name that will definitely mentioned in the special election.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:01 pmMichael, I was shocked to read about it as well.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:02 pmI got to meet and interview Mr. Gillmor when he first ran for his seat way back when. He was very pleasant, and although I may not have agreed with his positions, he seemed to really care for Northwest Ohio and its residents. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends
As far as a successor… why did the name Damschroder just pop in to my head? Wouldn’t be surprised.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:20 pmI’m assuming the special election will be held the next general election which would be in November, names I’ve heard since the news broke on this story as who might consider running (None are confirmed with the exception of Robin Wierauch) on the Democratic side; Jack Ford, Ben Konop.
On the Republican side, Bob Latta, Randy Gardner, Kevin DeWine & Rob Portman have been mentioned.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:24 pmi saw it as breaking news on cnn.com and my initial reaction was “holy cr@p!”…i swear i just saw him on the local news this weekend.
a total shock.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:26 pmJack Ford and Ben Konop don’t live in the district. If Ben were to run, that would be the third congressional district in four years he has lived in…a big mistake. This is an overwhelming republican seat and my guess is that either Randy Gardner or Bob Latta (his dad was the congressman for a long time) will be the eventual victor. In fact, I expect a very competitive republican primary. The last time there was an open seat was 1988 and Gilmor beat Bob Latta by 27 votes. A seat like this comes along once every 20 years and the republican office holders will be lining up to face the Democrat who will almost certainly be Robin Weirach.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:34 pmAgreed BG Democrat, though you don’t have to live in the District from what I understand and Ford does have an apartment in Bowling Green. His Toledo residency could be debated. I have no confirmation on any of the candidates except Robin.
I also agree with you that it will probably be Gardner and Latta on the Republican side.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pmYou are absolutely correct about that though the democrats have made an issue of Gilmor living in Dublin and not in the district for a long time, as has the Blade, so I doubt they’d be able to field a candidate who doesn’t live in the district with any credibility. I’m not sure Ford or Konop would be electable, considering the makeup of the district. Although I would give Konop a better shot than Ford. The best shot to me would be Robin as she will be the incumbent (I’d be shocked if Strickland doesn’t appoint her) and she is a woman and has run the last two cycles so she has some name recognition.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pmAgreed again completely BG Dem, there has been a huge issue made of Gillmor’s residency and that could very well end up being part of this primary and election process. If I understand it correctly, there will be a special primary then the election. Not sure from a timing standpoint how all of this will work out but I’m sure details will follow in the days to come.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pmI would love to see Konop enter the race. It would a great example of why I consider him to be the ultimate elitist carpet bagging political climbers of our era…and it would send him out of our County government. He would lose the race, and hopefully his disingenuous career would crumble like the house of cards that it is.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:30 pmCongressman Gillmor’s , perhaps final talk radio interview was on Toledo Today Wednesday the 29th. As with many persons who die suddenly, he didn’t appear to be feeling badly. He did have stints to prevent a heart attack and that may end up being the cause of death. I would suspect that either his wife, Karen, who is a former Ohio State Senator, or Bob Latta, whose dad , Del, held the job previously, would be at the top of the GOP list for a successor.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:45 pmThe discussion regarding the residency status of the district is valid. If Jack Ford forces the issue he would be a tremendous candidate that brings experience to the table on the democratic side of the aisle. Also, Robin Weirach campaigned well and garnered more support and votes than many expected. This seat could go to the democrats if the national and state trends continue…….with the war going poorly and the Ohio economy in the dumps, a democrat would offer a change that many would welcome. Regardless, sincere condolences to the Gillmor family.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pmWHOA, that’s all I can say. My thoughts are with his family and friends, he will be greatly missed!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:55 pmMy condolences to Mr. Paul Gillmor’s family and close friends. My hometown is about north of Old Fort along the border of Sandusky/Seneca Counties his old stomping ground and he is very popular in that area especially the Gillmore family.
My parents always voted against him every time he was in the election because they were too “hip” and “liberal” for those country folks way-of-life. Mr. Gillmore is very, very conservative and laid-back for his district, and he is a very reactive leader than a proactive one. His last name is very recognizable for the people in his district and they tend to vote him in because of familiarity (if you know what I mean).
September 5th, 2007 at 7:18 pmRockets Man said:
“laid-back for his district, and he is a very reactive leader than a proactive one.”
One of the very reasons I wasn’t a supporter.
My thoughts go out to his family of course, but I certainly hope his replacement is more proactive in leading the district.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pmI wonder if the stress from the Blade Articles might have been a factor?
September 5th, 2007 at 10:03 pmUm…give Mr. Gillmore some credit here, I find it very hard to believe the Blade would be a factor.
September 6th, 2007 at 6:22 amRockets…..if you were being personally attacked by the Blade in huge articles and had a bad heart that would be a factor.
If I were Gillmor’s family I would be looking for an attorney who specializes in wrongful death.
I’m sure The Blade wouldn’t even be mentioning their attacks on him as the carry on with coverage of his death.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:23 amCondolences to the Gillmor family. I understand he leaves quite a few children and his wife behind as survivors. I’m sure it comes as a shock. May he rest in peace.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:55 amFrank…all speculation..pure speculation. Mr. Gillmore didn’t really care for The Blade which often times he turned them down for interviews and dismissed their endless claims. He could care less of what The Blade’s agenda were for many years, there were plenty other media outlet from Northwest Ohio to Washington DC that were criticizing him for his platform and policies over the past several decades. He is one of the few strong elected individual that can separate the b____s____ from others. Shall the Gillmore family sue all of them as well? I think not. Let the man rest in peace.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:06 amI was shocked to read about this, yesterday. RIP Rep. Gillmore.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:12 pmI think the republicans have done a pretty good job of gerrymandering this district to be safe for them. Have you ever seen the map of this district? It has to be one of the widest districts to avoid major population areas ever. I hope whoever runs for this seat has a car with good gas mileage.
I forgot about Bob Latta as a possible candidate, I just got so used to seeing Rex Damschroder running. I remember when Mr. Gillmor beat Mr. Latta for the seat in 88. At that time there was a sense that Latta felt entitled to the seat since his father had held it for so long. I’m sure Mr. Latta has matured since then.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:03 pmWho will Strickland appoint before the Special elections
September 6th, 2007 at 4:20 pmI don’t think he will appoint anyone, more should come out later but it sounds like there will be an announcement for a special election and if necessary a primary first.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:24 pmMy condolences to the Gillmor family and shame on all of you who are already specualting on his replacement. He hasn’t even had his funeral or memorial service. Give him and his family some respect. You can start your speculation after he is buried.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:31 pmJim, when I wrote the initial post, I did not expect the political machines to start discussing replacements. I assumed there would be some at least minor mourning period. However, despite the reports from candidates to the media that they are not thinking about this, they are. Not long after the death was reported both sides were doing exactly what has happened here, talk about the election and possible candidates who would run.
Now, I could be hypocritical and pretend these discussions are not taking place and not have written what was being said, but I made the decision to be honest about what was being said. I understand if you disagree with me, but that’s why I decided to post the speculations and why the discussion started taking place.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:37 pmFrank,
Are you kidding? Seriously, are you kidding? Are you seriously suggesting that the Blade killed him? While I don’t generally agree with Hitler that mentally retarded folks should be shot and killed, I think an exception should be made for you.
September 7th, 2007 at 2:33 amTo BG Democratic: THe Gov. does not get to appoint a replacement for a member of the House of Representatives only to a Senate vacancy.
September 9th, 2007 at 8:52 am