Congresswoman Tubbs Jones Dies of Ruptured Aneurysm

By Anastacia Mott Austin

It’s been a bad couple of weeks for the Democratic Party. Last week Arkansas Democratic Party chairman Bill Gwatney died after being shot by an intruder in his office, and this week Ohio’s Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones died at a local hospital after suffering a ruptured aneurysm.

Tubbs Jones, like Gwatney, was due to vote as a superdelegate in this month’s Democratic National Convention. An early supporter of Hillary Clinton, Tubbs Jones switched her allegiance to Barack Obama after Clinton left the race in June.

Tubbs Jones was driving her car Tuesday evening and reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage caused by the aneurysm, in "an inaccessible" part of her brain. She was discovered unconscious in her car and rushed to Huron Hospital in Cleveland.

While hopes were initially high that she might recover, her condition worsened and relatives were told to expect the worst. "Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' medical condition declined," said a statement jointly issued by the hospital and Tubbs Jones’ family. "Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died."

The liberal congresswoman was first elected to public office in 1998, and was a vocal critic of the Iraq war. She was the first black woman to serve in Congress as a representative of Ohio.

Members of Congress say the popular lawmaker will be sorely missed. "Whether you were a presidential candidate, a colleague debating on the floor or a friend passing time, you wanted her on your team for her quick legal mind, tenacious debating skills, her infectious humor and that thousand-watt smile," said House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC). Added Clyburn, "My heart is heavy. She was larger than life and we will all greatly miss the Gentlewoman from Cleveland. My prayers are with her family, friends and staff."

Tubbs Jones was known for her sense of humor and her willingness to take a stand on controversial issues. She was one of 31 in the House who voted to not count the electoral votes in Ohio during the presidential election process of 2004, believing the results to have been illegally tampered with.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emmanuel told reporters, "I'm grateful that I will have the memory of her boundless spirit and energy and my thoughts and prayers are with the Jones family during this difficult time."