Rep. Jackie Walorski dies in Elkhart County crash
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU/AP) - Jackie Walorski, U.S. representative for Indiana’s 2nd congressional district, died in a crash Wednesday afternoon in Elkhart County.
Meanwhile, three others were killed in the crash, including two of Walorski’s staffers who were in the same vehicle as her and the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash. Their identities are listed below:
- Zachery Potts, 27, of Mishawaka (Walorski District Director)
- Emma Thomson, 28, of Washington, D.C. (Walorski Communications Director)
- Edith Schmucker, 56, of Nappanee
Walorski, who served on the House Ways and Means Committee, was first elected to represent Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012. She previously served three terms in the state’s legislature.
Walorski was born in South Bend. She and her husband were previously missionaries in Romania, where they established a foundation that provided food and medical supplies to impoverished children. She worked as a television news reporter at WSBT-TV in South Bend before her turn to politics.
Local leaders in the community are speaking out about Wednesday’s tragedy:
Janet and I are devastated by the tragic loss of our friend Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and her two staffers - Emma Thomson and Zach Potts - earlier today. Our broken hearts go out to her husband Dean and the entire family during this time of unimaginable mourning.
— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) August 3, 2022
My full statement on the passing of Jackie Walorski, my dear friend and one of the greatest public servants I’ve ever known: pic.twitter.com/nntvYAqttb
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) August 3, 2022
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.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) August 3, 2022
.@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.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) August 3, 2022
I am deeply saddened by the death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski today. We also grieve for the loss of life of Zachery Potts, Emma Thomson, and Edith Schmucker. This is a terrible tragedy.
— Joe Donnelly (@JoeforIndiana) August 3, 2022
My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, her Communications Director Emma Thompson and St. Joseph County Republican Party Chairman Zachery Potts. I send my thoughts and prayers to find peace during this heartbreaking time.
— Rep. Maureen Bauer (@Maureen4Indiana) August 3, 2022
It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of Rep. Jackie Walorski. On behalf of the Citizens of Mishawaka, Jamie & I send our deepest condolences to her husband Dean, Rep. Walorski’s family & the people of the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana. pic.twitter.com/cSg4eUHQz8
— Dave Wood, Mayor (@MishawakaMayor) August 3, 2022
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