Green Party candidate Roberts dies
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By Mike Riopell | Monday, July 07, 2008 |
SPRINGFIELD — Green Party congressional candidate Vic Roberts died over the weekend, shortly after marching in a July Fourth parade.
The 75-year-old former coal miner from Taylorville died at his home. He was running for Congress in the 19th District.
Roberts had run for office before as a Democrat and was well-known for wearing a coal miner’s helmet to show support for working-class people.
“That was just a symbol of something more important,” said Rich Whitney, the Green Party candidate for governor in 2006.
Roberts himself reiterated that view during a Springfield campaign stop in February.
“To be sure, I, if elected to Congress, can and will represent the laboring class people, because I am one, too,” Roberts said at the time.
Roberts was running against Republican U.S. Rep. John Shimkus and Democrat Daniel Davis in the Nov. 8 general
election.
News of Roberts’ death was shocking to those who also marched in Taylorville’s July Fourth parade.
“I was saddened to learn of Vic’s passing. I just saw him in Taylorville at the Fourth of July parade,” Shimkus said. “You have to admire Vic’s commitment and dedication to his beliefs. I want to express my sympathy to his family and friends.”
Roberts is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and many sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sangamon County Green Party chairman Marc Sanson said the party likely will gather to find a replacement for Roberts on the November ballot. Sanson said Roberts’ wife called Saturday morning to suggest the party move on because he would have wanted that.
“He’ll be remembered as a fighter, that’s for sure,” Sanson added.
Mike Riopell can be contacted at
(217) 789-0865 or mike.riopell@lee.net. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
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