Doctors and family: Tubbs Jones on life support

Confusion reigned over the medical condition of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) on Wednesday, as Cleveland and Washington media outlets began reporting her death just prior to a news conference where her doctors and family declared she was in critical condition but still alive.

Family and Huron Hospital officials said at a 2:30 p.m. news conference that Tubbs Jones is on life support and on a ventilator, and has “very limited brain function” as a result of a massive brain aneurysm she suffered Tuesday night while driving in an area of her 11th Congressional District in Cleveland.

WOIO in Cleveland had reported earlier Wednesday that Tubbs Jones was “for all intents and purposes dead when they brought her into the hospital,” and the Cleveland Plain Dealer – her hometown newspaper – first reported Wednesday afternoon that sources close to the 5th term Congresswoman had confirmed her death.

Members of the Ohio House delegation have already begun notifying their House colleagues of Tubbs Jones’ apparent death today at 58, despite the family’s announcement that she is still in critical condition.

The Congressional Black Caucus has announced a prayer service for Tubbs Jones, which will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Cannon Caucus Room.

Officials from Tubbs Jones office have not been available since 11 a.m. It was not clear when hospital officials or family or staff of Tubbs Jones would provide an update on her condition. 

In the event of her death, there would likely be two elections for her seat this year, said Ohio State University law professor Daniel Tokaji. One would be a special election to fill her unexpired term. The other would the general election to succeed her in Congress.

A special election could be held on the same date as the general election, but does not have to be. Ohio law says the governor can call a special election, but does not require it or set deadlines.

In 2002, then-Gov. Bob Taft decided not to hold a special election to replace Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio), who was kicked out of Congress in July of that year for a bribery and racketeering conviction. A federal appeals court later ruled that he should have called a special election.

District committees for both parties would have the opportunity to name candidates to run in any special election to fill out Tubbs Jones unexpired term.

The Democratic Party’s committee in Tubbs Jones’s district would be able to choose a person to replace her on the ballot for the general election, competing to serve in the 111th Congress.

If the same person were to win the general election to claim her seat next year and the special election to fill out her term, he or she would have more seniority than most colleagues elected at the same time. Still, such a person person could wind up never casting a vote if Congress decides not to have a “lame duck” session between the election and the swearing in of the 111th Congress.

Republican Thomas Pekarek already filed to challenge Tubbs Jones in the general election and his name is on the ballot.

Ohio elections officials Wednesday were reviewing the laws regarding what to do when a member of Congress dies in office, a spokesman for the Ohio secretary of state said. But they did not have a statement Wednesday.

Mike Soraghan contributed to this article.

This story was updated at 3:54 p.m.