National

Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, Dies

Published August 20, 2008 at 4:44 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

Hillary Clinton celebrates with her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (right) at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on April 21, 2008.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) died Wednesday at a Cleveland hospital from a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm.

Tubbs Jones, 58, died at 6:12 p.m. after the aneurysm burst, leaving her with limited brain function, spokeswoman Eileen Sheil said.

"Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' medical condition declined," Sheil said in a statement issued by the clinic and Tubbs Jones' family.

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First elected in 1998, the five-term congresswoman was the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and served as chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee.

She was an ardent supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential primary bid, before switching to Sen. Barack Obama in June. Tubbs Jones had been planning to attend next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver as a superdelegate.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) mourned the passing of his colleague in the House and Congressional Black Caucus.

"Whether you were a presidential candidate, a colleague debating on the floor or a friend passing time, you wanted her on your team for her quick legal mind, tenacious debating skills, her infectious humor and that thousand watt smile. My heart is heavy," Clyburn said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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