James R. Thompson, a Republican known as Big Jim who used his enthusiasm for campaigning and his canny understanding of state politics to become the longest-serving governor of Illinois, died on Friday. His daughter, Samantha Thompson, confirmed his death. She said Mr. Thompson had been recovering from an undisclosed illness at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago when his heart stopped. On social media, Democrats and Republicans praised Mr. Thompson’s abilities as a politician who so enjoyed meeting with constituents that he would march parade routes twice, even in off-election years. His relentless style of campaigning overwhelmed Democrats, who consistently failed to find an opponent who could beat Mr. Thompson, the first Republican endorsed for governor by the Illinois A.F.L.-C.I.O.

Source: New York Times August 15, 2020 21:22 UTC