US Rep. Tubbs Jones of Ohio dies after hemorrhage

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Cleveland Clinic official says Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio has died.

Clinic spokeswoman Eileen Sheil says Tubbs Jones died at 6:12 p.m. Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst and left her with limited brain function.

The 58-year-old Tubbs Jones was the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a strong critic of the Iraq war. She suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in her east side district Tuesday evening.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) _ Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, had a brain hemorrhage and was in critical condition with limited brain function, a doctor said Wednesday.

Tubbs Jones, 58, suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in Cleveland Heights on Tuesday, said Dr. Gus Kious, president of Huron Hospital in East Cleveland. The congresswoman had been driving erratically and her vehicle crossed lanes of traffic before coming to a stop, police said.

Tubbs Jones "collapsed when she suffered a very serious brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst in an inaccessible part of her brain," Kious said during a news conference. A team of doctors who evaluated her determined she has limited brain function.

A brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery in the brain. It can leak or rupture, causing bleeding in the brain.

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Family friend Joe Hewitt asked people to pray for the congresswoman. Family members including Tubbs Jones' son, Mervyn Jones II, attended the news conference but left without commenting.

East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer, a longtime friend of Tubbs Jones, said it wouldn't be appropriate to consider the political vacuum in Ohio if she cannot serve.

"As far as we're concerned, she's still here until further notice and until the Lord says it's her time to go," Brewer said at the hospital following the news conference. "Right now, She's our congresswoman."

Tubbs Jones, elected in 1998, was one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's biggest boosters during the primaries and is to be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Although she backed Barack Obama in June, Tubbs Jones has said Obama can't win unless Clinton's supporters rally behind him.

"She is a passionate and tireless advocate for the people of Cleveland and a devoted public servant for all Americans," Obama said in a statement. "We send our heartfelt prayers to Stephanie and her family at this very difficult time."

Tubbs Jones represents the heavily Democratic 11th District and chairs the ethics committee in the House. She's the first black woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where she opposed President Bush's tax cuts and his efforts to create personal accounts within Social Security.

Several news organizations, including The Associated Press, had earlier reported that Tubbs Jones had died. The AP cited a Democratic official.

The reports prompted Sen. John Kerry to issue a statement mourning her passing.

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Associated Press Writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[Ladyrantsalot]

What can I say, she was one of the few Representatives who held their own on Stephen Colbert's "Better Know a District." Smart, fearless, charming, and much too young to lose.

[pupbayer]

She will certainly be missed.

[jazzifay]

My condolences to the Family.

[ZimboChick]

RIP

[becky]

What a sad loss for our country. I admired Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
I appreciated her willingness to stand up for her own beliefs, even when they weren't
popular. She was an inspiration to me. I can't believe she's gone.

[mary82]

Wow unbelievable, everytime I seen her she always had the biggest smile. My condolences to her family, RIP Stephanie.

[Ohioliberal]

Damn - so sad

[neurologymatters]

My sympathies to the family and friends of Rep. Tubb-Jones.

[Danny]

Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was a fearless Democrat when it was risky to be one. She deserves my admiration for that. My condolences to her family. Sincerely.

[Danny]

But what now happens to Stephanie's congressional seat?. This is important to know in this electoral year. In other countries there would be a clear electoral path, but in these anything-goes times, in these "United States", who knows? Anyone?

[barnaclebillthesailor]

this lady ought to have a monument that tells americans of her courage in opposing the 90% who backed bush & cheney when they sent our girls & boys into iraq -- most democrats were among those 90%, which shows how much integrity & resolve she had in going against her own party members

[GeoLee]

Her courage extended to continuing to support her favorite candidate throughout the nomiination run at the expense of being called a traitor to her race and that also demonstrated her integrity as a human being. I suspect even Obama respects that because it would be a good indicator that once she endorsed Obama after the race was over, he knew she would support him from that point on and was not being kowtowed by those within her race who she did say in one televison interview had called her office and threatened to put up candidates to get her out of office and worse for not supporting Obama early on merely because of his mixed race. Everyone has to respect someone who stands up for what she believes consistently even when the consequences could be dire. We have lost one of the best and her constituents are the biggest losers, but the nation as well. There are so few left in Congress with such integrity. She was a Barbara Jordan protege in my mind. God rest her soul and bless her family.

[guajiro]

Agreed. I saw her for the first time on a TV show a few months ago and instantly admired her presence. I was busy and didn't pay attention to who she was but it amazes me that I see her face now and I immediately recall her even though I originally saw her for maybe 1-2 seconds, and I'm BAD at recalling faces. I feel like I knew her. I hope one of her many seeds she has planted takes her place one day soon.

[firelord5000]

rip

[DoomSay]

Was a loyal trooper for Hillary in the face of African American community going for Obama. Never put down Obama and knew the big picture of her party. Would have been a good cabinet selection for Hillary. God Bless.

[MHR55]

"Would have been a good cabinet selection for Hillary."

. . . and Obama too. This is a very sad day for the country. Our prayers are with her family.

[mistlesuede]

What a shock. We will miss you sweet lady. I'm so sorry.

[barbwiregrrl]

The world has a little less light in it tonight. Ms Tubbs radiant smile and wonderful wit have left us. Her genius remains.

Rest in peace...your work will be carried on.

[barbwiregrrl]

I am sorry to hear of Stephanie Tubbs Jones passing. She was my hero. She inspired me to stand up for what I believe in even when it is not popular.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3827053
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones Objects to Certification of Ohio Electoral Votes

Washington, D.C. –Today, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, entered a formal objection to the certification of the State of Ohio's Electoral Votes:

"I, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a representative from Ohio, and Ms. Boxer, a Senator from California, object to the counting of the electoral votes of the State of Ohio on the ground that they were not, under all of the known circumstances, regularly given."
"I, thank God, that I have a Senator joining me in this objection. I appreciate Senator Boxer's willingness to listen to the plight of hundreds and even thousands of Ohio voters that for a variety of reasons were denied the right to vote. Unfortunately objecting to the electoral votes from Ohio is the only immediate avenue to bring these issues to light.

"While some have called our cause foolish I can assure you that my parents, Mary and Andrew Tubbs did not raise any fools and as a lawyer, former judge and prosecutor, I am duty bound to follow the law and apply the law to the facts as I find them.



Rest in Peace...know that you made a huge difference in the world!!

[HoooooooHah]

yes, she was a true leader.

[Danny]

Thank you, barwireegirll, for your recollection of Stephanie Tubbs-Jones' contribution to true Democracy. I hope this momentous part of her contribution to free and fair elections will be remembered at the eulogies. It is so timely and important, just now. Senator Obama, are you listening?