After being hurt at home about a month ago, Kentucky state senator Johnnie Turner passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76.
His ride-on mower apparently went into an empty swimming pool on September 15 when he was mowing his garden.
He was in a “critical but stable condition” following the accident, according to an organization that represented Republican state senators from Kentucky at the time.
He rode into the deep end of the pool, according to the local newspaper.
According to the Lexington Herald Leader news agency, Mr. Turner had begun to recuperate and had even finished his first evaluation in physical therapy in the weeks following the tragedy.
He did, however, pass away this week after a “hard-fought battle” with his injuries.
Since the race is so close, Mr. Turner’s name will still be on the ballot, but his only opponent has already withdrawn, giving write-in candidates until Friday to run for the seat.
If not, a special election will have to be held.
“We share with heavy hearts the news of Sen. Johnnie Turner’s passing on Tuesday evening, following a hard-fought battle with injuries sustained in his recent accident,” said Robert Stivers, the state president of Kentucky, in a statement.
