Pocono News Section

State Senator Killed in Weekend Crash

State Senator Killed in Weekend Crash - Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 6:55PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 @ 06:55pm EST
CHESTNUTHILL TWP., MONROE COUNTY- The tributes continue to pour in for a state senator who died this weekend after a violent car crash. State Senator Jim Rhoades died Saturday after a car crash near Brodheadsville. Rhoades was facing a re-election battle, and with just 17 days until the polls open, it appears as if his name will stay on the ballot.

A simple remembrance page is now what voters in the 29th District see when they log onto State Senator Jim Rhoades website. The 7-term Republican is being remembered as a champion of education, family man and friend.

Governor Ed Rendell said, “I think it’s fair to say that he was the leading advocate, certainly the leading advocate in the state senate, for public education, way before I arrived on the scene. Jim Rhoades was beating the drum for more funding for public education."

Rhoades died after his Cadillac was hit head on by a truck on Route 209 near Brodheadsville. He was running for his eighth term and was facing Democrat Peter Symons and Independent Dennis Baylor.

According to state election officials, unless there is a court order, Rhoades name will most likely appear on the November 4th ballot. Fellow Senator Lisa Baker says it’s too early to think politics. “It’s just so difficult. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that we lost a tremendous human being and it’s going to be a large void for us to fill," said Baker.

If Rhoades' name remains on the ballot and he gets the most votes, election officials say a special election would have to be held. That election would have to replace a political icon. He's a real loss. He was a gentleman. He was someone who tried to work across the aisle and we don't have a lot of those folks in Harrisburg," said Rendell.

Funeral plans for Jim Rhoades have still not been released. His wife Mary was also hurt in the crash and is still in the hospital.

As for the election, both candidates challenging Rhoades have suspended their campaigns.