Daughter of Sen. Durbin dies at 40
CHICAGO -- Christine A. Durbin, the oldest daughter of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, died Saturday at age 40, according to a spokesman for the Democratic senator.
Christine Durbin died in a Washington, D.C.-area hospital from complications relating to a congenital heart condition. She had been hospitalized for several weeks, Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said.
Sen. Durbin was with his wife, Loretta Durbin, and family in the Washington, D.C., area on Saturday.
"Most of the family was at her bedside when she passed away," Shoemaker said.
Christine Durbin worked for 16 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the emerging markets division. She lived with her husband and son in a suburb of Washington.
She "fought a heroic lifelong battle with heart disease," Shoemaker said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Durbin family."
He said Sen. Durbin would not be making a further public statement.
Christine Durbin is survived by her parents, husband Marty Johnson, son Alex, brother Paul and sister Jennifer.
Funeral arrangements were pending Saturday.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama offered their condolences to the Durbin family.
"I was stunned and saddened to hear the news of Christine Ann Durbin's passing. My wife, Patti, and I extend our deepest, deepest sympathy to Dick and Loretta Durbin and the entire Durbin family on their loss," Blagojevich said in a statement. "I hope all the people of Illinois will join Patti and me in keeping them in our prayers."
Obama adviser Robert Gibbs said the Democratic presidential candidate called Durbin Saturday afternoon.
Durbin, 63, holds the U.S. Senate's No. 2 post as assistant majority leader. He is on Tuesday's ballot and is seeking his third term in the Senate after seven in the House.
Republican Dr. Steve Sauerberg, a physician from the Chicago suburb of Willowbrook, is challenging him.
Also in the race are Green Party candidate Kathy Cummings of Chicago; Larry A. Stafford of South Beloit, a Libertarian; and Constitution Party candidate Chad N. Koppie of Gilberts.