UPDATED AGAIN & MOVED UP – SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES:
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH) is reportedly near death in a Cleveland area hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm. According to news reports she was found unconscious in her car and was rescued by police officers. Official word is that she is undergoing treatment but unofficial word is that her condition is such that she is not expected to recover.
She had been expected to easily win a sixth term in her heavily Democratic district this November so this tragedy will not have any impact on the balance of power (not that this is really an issue right now, but it is an election year).
Our hopes and prayers go to her and her family
UPDATE 1: Cong. Tubbs-Jones has died.
Washington Post Capitol Briefing
UPDATE 2: Reports that Cong. Tubbs-Jones has died have been retracted.
Earlier Wednesday, media outlets, citing “sources familiar with the situation,” erroneously reported that Tubbs Jones had died. Her doctor said a short time later that she was in “critical condition” at a hospital in East Cleveland, Ohio.
UPDATE 3: Cong. Tubbs-Jones has died.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Family, hospital confirm U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ death
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ family and officials at Huron Hospital have announced that the five-term congresswoman has died.
She was 58.
This is the statement:
Tubbs Jones Family, Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic
August 20, 2008 – 6:40 p.m.
“Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ medical condition declined. Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died.
She dedicated her life in public service to helping others and will continue to do so through organ donations.
Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”