A 45-year-old state lawmaker from Pennsylvania has passed away suddenly.
Matt Gergely experienced a medical emergency around Christmas and was quickly taken to the hospital.
The House Democratic caucus in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives revealed his passing on Sunday, according to WESA radio station.
“Our hearts are broken as we mourn the untimely loss of our friend and colleague,” they said.
His cause of death remains unknown.
Democrat officials described his death as a “tremendous loss.”
Gergely, who represented the state’s 35th district, suffered the medical emergency days before he was due to go to a swearing-in ceremony.
Officials said they didn’t expect him to return to the chamber for some time after being hospitalized.
Days before Gergely’s death, a post on his verified Facebook page said his team remains “eager to help” constituents.
Gergely’s death means the state lawmaking chamber is deadlocked at 101 to 101 until an election is held.
Joanna McClinton, the speaker, will reveal when a special election will be held.
Gergely won a special election in November 2023, succeeding Austin Davis.
Davis is the current lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
Gergely ran unopposed in elections held in November 2024.
Davis has led the tributes to the late politician.
“Representative Gergely dedicated his entire life to public service,” he said.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Davis told how the lawmaker championed working-class families in the community he represented.
Mourners described Gergely as a “collaborative and enthusiastic” public servant as tributes flooded in.
Jay Costa, a state senator, said: “We already miss him more than words can express.
“A public servant to the very end, Representative Gergely left an indelible mark on everyone who met him.”
Gergely is survived by his wife Holly and two sons.
