On the night of July 4-5, Vic Roberts died unexpectedly in his sleep. He had been nominated in the Illinois Green Party primary in February this year, to run for U.S. House in the 19th district. He was age 75 and had long been active in the United Mine Workers Union.
Under Illinois election law, the party may replace him, but must do so within 8 days of his death. No one knows whether he died on July 4 or July 5. The Illinois Green Party is hosting the national convention in Chicago July 10-13 and may be hard-pressed to find a replacement candidate and handle the paperwork. A paperwork error earlier this year resulted in the removal of 4 Green congressional nominees in Illinois.
What is it about holiday weekends in general and the Fourth of July [weekend] in particular? Three serving presidents have died on the Fourth before the Civil War! [Jefferson and John Adams on the same day.]
Closer to me, San Diego County’s James Stockdale of near by Coranado, passed on on the Fourth. He was a fighter pilot, POW in the Hanoi Hilton, and H. Ross Perot’s running mate [P1992]. Shaky and grandfatherly, he was the nicest person —-in a crusty, dutch uncle mode!
Jesse Helms as well.
The Illinois Green Party issued a press release about Vic Roberts. It can be seen here.
Richard, we have more than 8 days, because certification doesn’t take place until the end of August. But everything else you have is unfortunately correct.