Democratic Florida Congressional candidate, April Freeman, died of an apparent heart attack on Sunday night aged 54
A Democratic Florida Congressional candidate has died unexpectedly aged 54 – just six weeks before the November elections.
April Freeman, who had recent heart issues, died of an apparent heart attack on Sunday night.
The candidate’s husband, David Freeman, posted the news on her Facebook page Monday.
Freeman had been due to face Republican Senator Greg Steube in the November 6 elections to succeed Tom Rooney – a Republican who decided not to seek a sixth term in Congress.
‘We are incredibly saddened by the sudden death of April Freeman,’ Florida Democratic Chair Terrie Rizzo said in a statement on Monday.
‘Just last night she was in the office, making calls and working to get out the vote.’
Her husband told local news outlets the cause of death appeared to be a heart attack but that was not certain yet.
Her rival, Senator Steube, paid tribute to the candidate on Twitter following her sudden death.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with April Freeman’s family in the wake of her tragic passing. I respect her service to our community and admire her commitment to the causes she cared about. Out of respect to her memory, next week’s campaign events will be cancelled,’ he tweeted.
Freeman, above with Bill Clinton in June, won a nominating contest earlier this year to secure a place on the ballot in November. She previously ran unsuccessfully for the seat
Freeman had been due to face Republican Senator Greg Steube in the November 6 elections. Steube tweeted his condolences on Monday following the news of her death
Freeman’s political campaign in a heavily Republican district had focused on promoting equal pay for women and protecting the environment
She worked as a writer and producer in the film industry.
Freeman wrote a children’s book and was working on a self-help book, as well as a political guide for women, according to her campaign website.
She won a nominating contest earlier this year to secure a place on the ballot in November. Freeman previously ran unsuccessfully for the seat when she lost to U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney in 2016.
Political analysts view the central Florida district as solidly Republican, meaning it is unlikely to be a factor in Democrats’ attempt to win the 23 House seats they need to take a majority in that chamber and act as a check on Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The candidate’s husband, David Freeman, (above) posted the news on her Facebook page Monday. He told local news outlets the cause of death appeared to be a heart attack