Jewish Obama campaign staffer collapses and dies

(JTA) — A Jewish Obama campaign staffer collapsed in the Chicago campaign headquarters and died.

Alex Okrent, 29, died on July 13. He was part of the campaign’s advertising department, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He had worked on Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, the newspaper reported.

Obama personally Tweeted:  “A beloved member of our campaign family, Alex Okrent, passed away today. Our prayers are with his loved ones. We will miss you, Alex. -bo.” He also reportedly called Okrent’s family to personally express his condolences.

Okrent had been planning his next move, something less “taxing,” for after the November elections, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Want timely updates? Follow @JTAnews on Twitter!

Click to login and write a letter to the editor.