Local Democratic Candidate Dies Day Before Election
After a prolonged illness, the democratic candidate, Ed Giannattasio, for the 109th district of Columbia County passed away on Monday. Ed was called to serve by the violent attempt to invalidate the results of the 2020 election, not because he wanted the post or the power. He aimed to represent the interests of the residents of Columbia County and bring about the desperately needed change to the dysfunction in Harrisburg.
The Columbia County Democrats released a statement yesterday after Giannattasio’s passing: “It is with great sadness that the Columbia County Democratic Party confirms the passing of Ed Giannattasio, the Democratic candidate for the PA House 109th District. As had been recently reported, Ed’s health sadly took a negative turn and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family, his friends, and with our community that Ed contributed to for so long.
Sadly, Ed’s health had deteriorated, and we send our condolences to his wife, family, friends, and the community that he gave so much to over the years. In today’s election for the House seat, Ed Giannattasio was set to compete against Robert Leadbeter, the Republican contender, and Thomas Anderson, the Libertarian candidate. David Millard, a retiring member who was first elected in 2004, left the position this year leaving room for big change in this election.
Giannattasio, who also managed the art gallery Art Ventures in Bloomsburg, had been battling the bone marrow malignancy Multiple Myeloma. He was 64 years old and from Massapequa, New York. Although he tragically passed the day before the election, he still has a significant following. He studied Art Education at Millersville University.
It’s difficult to determine whether his health has been influencing his campaign all along or whether this announcement will materially alter the other candidates’ results today. The news has circulated for a considerable amount of time. So, how long have the votes been impacted?
A large Facebook group of his followers, Ed Giannattasio for Representative of the 109th District of Pennsylvania, are sharing remorse and mourning the death of their candidate across their page.
