UPDATE (September 19, 2022):
NAPPANEE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Officials are confirming the crash that killed Indiana Republican Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and three others was accidental.
The August crash was ruled to be caused by the car her staffer was driving, veering into the opposite lane and attempting to pass a truck.
The car collided with another vehicle, killing Walorski and her two staffers on board, as well as the driver of the other car. Excessive speed is also said to have played a role in the accident.
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UPDATE (August 24, 2022):
LAKEVILLE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Democrats have their candidate who wants to replace Congresswoman Jackie Walorski.
The Indiana Democratic Party yesterday said Goshen high school science teacher Paul Steury will run in the race to replace Walorski in her northern Indiana district.
She died last month in a car crash.
The Republicans are running businessman and former Walorski ally Rudy Yakym in the race. Voters will decide in November.
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UPDATE (August 16, 2022):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Several Republicans are vying for a congressional seat after the death of U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski earlier this month.
Former Attorney General Curtis Hill filed to run after having his law license suspended for 30 days over a 2018 groping incident the Indiana Supreme Court considered misdemeanor battery.
Former state representative Christy Stutzman, outgoing state representative Curt Nisly, Tiernan Kane and Rudolph Yakym III have also filed.
Yakyn is endorsed by Walorski’s husband, Dean Swihart.
A Republican caucus will choose the GOP nominee on August 20th.
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UPDATE (August 12, 2022):
GRANGER, Ind. (ADAMS) – Mourners are paying tribute to the late Indiana Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, who died in a car crash last week.
At Granger Community Church, Pastor Ted Bryant called Walorski one of the most “authentic and genuine” people he’d met.
Walorski’s husband Dean Swihart also shared personal memories of his late wife. Walorski died when her car crossed the median of a highway in northern Indiana, killing her staffer Zachery Potts and communications director Emma Thomson as well.
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UPDATE (August 10, 2022):
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Voters will decide on a new congressperson for northern Indiana in November.
Governor Holcomb set the special election to replace Congresswoman Jackie Walorski for November.
It will be on Election Day. The special election will decide who will finish the last few months of Walorksi’s time in office.
There will also be an election to replace her. Walorski died in a car crash last week.
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UPDATE (August 9, 2022):
WASHINGTON D.C. (ADAMS) – There’s an effort underway in Washington, D.C. to name the V.A. clinic in Mishawaka after Congresswoman Jacki Walorski.
Top Republicans in Congress introduced legislation on Friday.
Walorski died in a car wreck along with two of her staffers last week.
Northern Indiana Congressman Jim Banks says he can’t think of a more fitting tribute to Walorski, who was a longtime advocate for veterans in Indiana and across the country.
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UPDATE (August 5, 2022);
ELKHART CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – Police are providing new details about an Elkhart County crash that claimed the lives of four people – including U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski.
Originally, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office said 56-year-old Edith Schmucker crossed the center line and hit the SUV that Walorski and two of her staffers were in head-on.
Now, police say it was the SUV that crossed the center line for reasons unknown.
Schmucker and Walorski were killed in the collision, as were 27-year-old Zachery Potts and 28-year-old Emma Thomson.
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ORIGINAL STORY;
ELKHART CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – U.S. Congresswoman Republican U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski is among four people who were killed in an Elkhart County crash.
A car crossed the center line and collided head-on with the SUV that Walorski was in.
Two of her staff members, 28-year-old Emma Thomson and 27-year-old Zachery Potts, were also killed.
The other vehicle’s driver was a 56-year-old woman pronounced dead at the scene.
Walorski served as the U.S. representative for Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District since 2012.
President Biden is offering his condolences to Walorski’s family. He and First Lady Jill Biden say the 58-year-old was respected by members of both parties. Both Biden and former President Trump were among those offering condolences to Walorski’s family.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in response to Walorski’s death. Pelosi says the congresswoman “lived a life of service.”
Here in Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as well.
Businesses and residents are asked to lower their flags immediately and keep them at half-staff until the date of her burial.