US Rep. Jackie Walorski killed in Indiana car crash
Rep. Jackie Walorski and three others were killed Wednesday in a two-car crash in her home state of Indiana, authorities said.
Walorski, 58, was riding in an SUV with her press secretary, Emma Thomson, and St. Joseph County Republican Party chairman Zachery Potts when a car traveling in the opposite direction crossed the median on Indiana State Road 19 and hit them head-on, according to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomson and Potts also died as a result of the accident, along with the driver of the other car, identified as 56-year-old Edith Schmucker.
In a statement shared by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Walorski’s office said the lawmaker “has returned home to be with her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.”
“Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers,” the statement added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), traveling in Asia, said in a statement that Walorski “lived a life of service: whether caring for impoverished children in Romania, representing her community in the Indiana Statehouse or serving nearly a decade in the House.
“She passionately brought the voices of her north Indiana constituents to the Congress, and she was admired by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her personal kindness.”
Walorski served in the House for nearly a decade, having been first elected in 2012 after serving five years in the Indiana State House. The South Bend native served on the House Ways and Means Committee and was also the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee.
“I am devastated to learn of the passing of my good friend, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. “She was an incredible public servant for Hoosiers and leader within the Republican Party. The entire Republican National Committee is praying for her family, as well as the families of the two staff who were also tragically killed.”
The White House lowered flags to half-mast on Wednesday in memory of Walorski.
“Jill and I are shocked and saddened by the death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski of Indiana along with two members of her staff in a car accident today in Indiana,” President Biden said in a statement.
“We send our deepest condolences to her husband, Dean, to the families of her staff members, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, who lost their lives in public service, and to the people of Indiana’s Second District who lost a representative who was one of their own.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) called the news of Walorski’s death “horrific.”
“Jackie was always willing to listen to my perspective even if we don’t always vote the same way,” Duckworth wrote on Twitter. “Rest In Peace my friend.”
Rep. David Valado (R – Calif.) said he was “deeply saddened” by Walorski’s death.
“Since coming to Congress as freshmen together in 2013, I have always considered her a good friend,” Valado tweeted. “[My wife] Terra and I are praying for her loved ones, staff, and constituents as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.”
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
