COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Rep. Don Manning has died of an apparent heart attack.
State officials and Republican party leaders issued statements mourning Manning's death on Saturday. House Speaker Larry Householder said the 54-year-old Manning began having chest pains Friday afternoon and was taken to a local hospital where he died.
Manning was serving his first term representing the House 59th District, which includes most of Mahoning County. Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken called Manning "a devoted father, public service and tireless advocate for the Mahoning Valley."
Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton (herself a Mahoning County native) paid tribute to Manning prior to their Saturday remarks on the coronavirus pandemic. DeWine alluded to the representative's efforts in advocating for the workers of the shuttered General Motors Lordstown plant and people dealing with mental health struggles. Manning also co-authored House Bill 12, which created the Ohio Children’s Behavioral Health Prevention Network Stakeholder Group and was signed into law by the governor last December.
"Don was a Navy veteran, and our state and our nation are both better for his service," DeWine said. "Fran and I extend our sincerest condolences to Don’s children and family during this most difficult time."
Manning is survived by two children. No information about services were available.
