Dead Republican State senator will stay on the ballot

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=110466

Last Update: 10/20/2008 7:41:00 AM

State senator from Schuylkill County who died in crash will stay on the ballot

By David Mekeel
Reading Eagle

State Sen. James J. Rhoades' campaign for an eighth term will go on despite his death over the weekend, Republican Party officials said Sunday.

Rhoades, a 66-year-old Schuylkill County Republican who also represented part of northern Berks, died Saturday morning about 9:30 in Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown of injuries suffered in a three-vehicle crash Friday night near Brodheadsville, Monroe County, officials said.

Lehigh County Coroner Scott M. Grim said Sunday that Rhoades died of multiple injuries. He ruled the death an accident.

Robert E. Ames, the Schuylkill County Republican chairman and Rhoades' campaign treasurer, said Rhoades' name will remain on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election.

Ames said the deadline to switch a name on the ballot has passed, and in any case it is too late to start over with a new candidate.

[Orrex]

1. Best wishes to Rhoades' family

66 is pretty young to die.

[Ian David]

2. Why not? He's as useful as any of the other Republicans on the ballot. n/t