OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Tragedy has struck the nation and the Republican Party as Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed in a head on car crash.
The Indiana Republican representative was 58 and her husband, Dean Swihart, was informed of her death by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office on Wednesday afternoon, NBC News reported.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing this statement from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski,” Republican House Minority Leader and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter.
“I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash. Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground, always decent and straightforward, and she cared deeply about her work and her constituents,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter.
“Jackie was a very good friend. I’m devastated. This is a major loss for our community,” Rep. Jake Teshka said.
“My heart is broken for Dean, the Walorski family, and all who knew and loved my friend Jackie. Jackie was a true public servant –selfless, humble, and compassionate. She was a devout Christian, a passionate advocate for life, and a leader among Hoosier representatives. Everything Jackie did was to serve others. Before Congress, she served in the Indiana Statehouse and she and her husband served as missionaries in Romania where they provided impoverished children food and medical care. From my first day in Congress, Jackie showed me kindness and grace. She had a heart of gold, and I will miss her dearly. Please join Amanda and I in praying for Jackie’s loved ones and the friends and family of her two staff members who also lost their lives in this tragic accident,” Rep. Jim Banks said.
“I’m truly devastated. Jackie loved Hoosiers and devoted her life to fighting for them. I’ll never forget her spirit, her positive attitude, and most importantly her friendship. All of Indiana mourns her passing, along with the tragic deaths of her staff Emma Thomson and Zach Potts. Please join me in praying for their families in this difficult time,” Sen. Todd Young said in a tweet.
“Just seeing the awful news about Rep. Jackie Walorski. Heartbreaking. I’ll be praying for her family after this awful and shocking tragedy. May God surround and comfort them all,” Rep. Lauren Boebert said.
“I am stunned to hear about the death of my friend and colleague, Jackie Walorski. Our offices neighbor each other in DC, and I was honored to call her my friend. Please join Brenda and me in praying for Jackie’s family and for the families of the others who lost their lives,” Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said.
“My prayers are with the family and staff of my colleague, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and the others who were tragically killed in a traffic collision today. Please keep them in your thoughts,” Rep. Val Demmings said.
.@KarenPence and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our dear friend Rep. Jackie Walorski. She served Indiana in the Statehouse and the Congress with integrity and principle for nearly two decades and will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with her husband Dean, her family, and the families of Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson who also perished in the crash. We’re praying God’s comfort over their families and to all who loved and admired this truly inspiring Indiana leader. God Bless Jackie Walorski,” former Vice President Mike Pence said.
“Congress has lost one of our best. Rep. Jackie Walorski was a true leader/legislator and the most thoughtful person one could hope to meet. She was dedicated and determined, and the kindest of colleagues — with the heart to match. Please think of her family and loved ones,” Rep. Darrell Issa said.
