Northwest Ohio congressman found dead in his apartment

TOLEDO (AP) — Congressman Paul Gillmor, a Republican from a solidly conservative district in northwest Ohio who spent four decades in politics, was found dead Wednesday in his apartment near Washington. He was 68.

Gillmor was known for his quiet approach and spent nearly 20 years in Congress without drawing much attention to himself.

As a House member he was a solid Republican vote, a reliable conservative on social issues who was a strong proponent of the military and spoke out against abortion.

“He knew how to quietly get things done,” said Mary Rose Oakar, a former Democratic U.S. representative from Cleveland. “I’m not saying he wasn’t effective. He just was unassuming and quietly did his homework.”

Aides found Gillmor’s body at his town house in Arlington, Va., after he failed to show up at the Capitol for morning meetings, said John Lisle, a spokesman for Arlington County police.

Homicide investigators were called to the apartment, but foul play was not suspected, Lisle said. “It does not appear, at least preliminarily, to be anything suspicious,” he said.

A cause of death had not been released.

His seat will remain open until a special election is held, said John McClelland, a spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party. Gov. Ted Strickland will set the date.

Gillmor was first elected to Congress in 1988 to a seat he had eyed for years.

Although easily elected to each term, he did face significant primary fights during his career in the 5th District.

He first won the GOP nomination by eking out a 27-vote victory over Robert Latta, who was trying to follow in the footsteps of his father, Republican Rep. Delbert Latta.

Strickland, a Democrat, was a member of the Ohio Congressional delegation for 12 years with Gillmor.

“Paul was a friend and a colleague,” Strickland said. “Ohio has lost a truly decent and devoted public servant.”