U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski, a Republican representing Indiana's 2nd Congressional District, was killed Wednesday in a car accident that also claimed the lives of two congressional aides — her District Director Zachery Potts (27) and Communications Director Emma Thomson (28). Rep. Walorski was 58.
According to the local ABC affiliate, "the crash happened at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday between two vehicles near the intersection of SR 19 and SR 119" in Walorki's district. The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office provided more details in a statement reported by a local radio station:
On August 3, 2022 at approximately 12:32 PM the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on SR 19 south of SR 119. A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle.
The sole occupant of the northbound vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A statement from Walorski's office shared by House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) confirmed the tragic accident.
"Jackie's husband was just informed by the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office that Jackie was killed in a car accident this afternoon," the statement read. "She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers."
It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing this statement from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. pic.twitter.com/UEPoKBDf5N
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) August 3, 2022
Walorski was known as a conservative warrior in her service to the people of Indiana's 2nd Congressional District since 2012 and a staunch defender of the rights of the unborn.
Born and raised in South Bend, Walorski's was a life of service. She and her husband Dean spent four years as missionaries in Romania where their work focused on getting food and medical supplies to impoverished children. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2012, Walorski served three terms in the Indiana Statehouse. In the U.S. House, Walorski served on the Ways and Mean Committee and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support and House Ethics Committee.
Earlier in her tenure as a U.S. Representative, Walorski served on the House Armed Services Committee, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Budget Committee, and the House Agriculture Committee.
Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Banks — a fellow Hoosier in Congress — released a statement calling Walorski "a true public servant - selfless, humble, and compassionate."
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
Tributes and kind remembrances quickly poured in for one of Capitol Hill's "best" on Twitter from both sides of the aisle, showing how many lives she brightened:
Devastated to hear the horrible news of the passing of Jackie Walorski and her two staffers.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 3, 2022
She was a dear friend who loved serving the people of Indiana in Congress.
My prayers are with her loving husband Dean, the rest of her family, and the families of the two staffers.
Congress has lost one of our best.
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) August 3, 2022
Rep. Jackie Walorski was a true leader/legislator and the most thoughtful person one could hope to meet. She was dedicated and determined, and the kindest of colleagues — with the heart to match.
Please think of her family and loved ones.
Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground, always decent and straightforward, and she cared deeply about her work and her constituents.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) August 3, 2022
Renee and I are heartbroken by the tragic death of my friend and colleague Rep. Jackie Walorski. She was a tireless public servant, conservative warrior, beloved wife to Dean and a friend to so many. She will be dearly, dearly missed.
— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) August 3, 2022
My prayers are with the family and staff of my colleague, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and the others who were tragically killed in a traffic collision today. Please keep them in your thoughts.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) August 3, 2022
Today, we lost one of our greatest members. Jackie Walorski lived a life of public service and was a friend to all who knew her. Please join us in praying for Jackie’s family and friends and for the loved ones of her two staffers who also lost their lives in this tragic accident.
— RSC (@RepublicanStudy) August 3, 2022
Just seeing the awful news about Rep. Jackie Walorski. Heartbreaking.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) August 3, 2022
I'll be praying for her family after this awful and shocking tragedy. May God surround and comfort them all.