Former Rep. Adler dead at 51

Former Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.) died Monday while recovering from heart surgery.

Adler, 51, underwent emergency heart surgery last month after he contracted a staph infection.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Adler,” New Jersey Democratic party chairman John Wisniewski said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in this difficult time.”

The centrist Democrat was elected to Congress in 2008 but was defeated in 2010 by Jon Runyan, a Republican and former offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Runyan extended his “deepest sympathies” to Runyan’s family and complimented “his lifetime of public service to our community has left a lasting legacy for which they can be most proud.”

“I valued and respected his leadership and his commitment to the people of New Jersey’s Third District and indeed the entire state,” he said in a statement.

Adler took a job at the law firm Greenberg Traurig earlier this year, which also confirmed his death.

Wisniewski praised Adler’s drive during his time in public service, which also included a stint in the New Jersey state senate.  

“John always fought for what he believed in and I was proud to have
called him a colleague, a friend and a fellow Democrat,” Wisniewski said. “His commitment
to his community and our state was beyond measure and his legacy will
live on through his good works. His passing has to make you stop and
think about the pace at which we all live and the life we miss while
doing it. He will be sorely missed.”

Adler is survived by his wife and four sons. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to either Cooper University Hospital or the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.