Former Congressman Jim Jontz has died

I really regret learning this in what has been a season of loss for me.

Former Congressman Jim Jontz has died at the age of 55 in Portland, Oregon.  I did not know how ill he had been.

After his defeat by US Representative Buyer, Mr. Jontz had worked for environmental organizations.

We served in the Indiana House of Representatives together.  Jim was a liberal and a Democrat.

However, there were two issue areas in which we had worked together. One was in the environmental arena.  The other was in seeking to lessen the barriers for ballot access for third parties. These were sometimes lonely battles.

Prior to my election to the House, Jim was the guy with the reputation for having won election at age 23. Jim could be a pain in the behind on a myriad of other issues.  He wore that reputation as a badge of honor.

I will be speaking on the issue of third-party ballot access in May.  Jim Jontz's ideas and steadfastness were going to be part of those remarks.  I will now expand on those remarks as a tribute.

He was an honest Hoosier original.  I am so sorry.

MORE: U.S. Senator Richard Lugar's statement regarding the death of Jim Jontz may be read on the continuation page.

Dick Lugar

U.S. Senator for Indiana

Contact:  Andy Fisher • 202-224-2079 • Date: 4/16/2007

http:// lugar.senate.gov • andy_fisher@lugar.senate.gov

Lugar comments on Jim Jontz

U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar made the following comment on former Congressman Jim Jontz, who died on Saturday:

“I talked to Jim Jontz on April 10 and expressed my appreciation for his passion, service, strength and deep concern for the environment.  I also expressed my appreciation for the 1994 campaign and for the positive tone, so that we could focus on the issues that each of us felt important.

“Jim Jontz provided great inspiration, launched the careers of many outstanding individuals and made a profound impact in each of his endeavors.”

Comments

[Mike Sylvester]

I look forward to hearing your presentation in May and I especially look forward to learning more about former Congressman Jim Jontz.

Mike Sylvester

[Roger McNeill]

What a shocker.

Jim Jontz was one of the most unassuming and unpretentious politicians I ever met, and was a reliable champion of State Employee labor issues in the State Legislature.

Agree or disagree, you always knew where he stood and what you saw is what you got. He embraced his role as a maverick.

My prayers are with his family.

[Geoff Paddock]

In 1985, then State Senator Jim Jontz was very helpful as we were putting together an effort to fight the expansion of the Adams Center Landfill. He was a strong environmentalist, and while Allen County was not in his district, he cared about us and represented us. Jim Jontz exemplified the very best in public service.

Geoff Paddock, New Haven City Administrator, 1984 - 1987.