Former Michigan Rep. Paul Mitchell, who left the Republican Party to become independent after former President Donald Trump challenged the 2020 election results, died on Sunday following a diagnosis of stage 4 renal cancer at age 64.
Mitchell announced his departure from the GOP in December, only weeks before his January retirement, underscoring his decision was about Trump‘s efforts to declare widespread fraud following the November election.
“I am immensely proud of him and never more so than when he was the lone voice in a sea of politicians who cared more about power than the true definition of the office. When he remained the lone voice and ignored the threats from those claiming to be his friends,” Mitchell’s spouse, Sherry, wrote in a statement obtained by CNN.
RETIRING REP. PAUL MITCHELL LEAVES GOP OVER TRUMP’S BID TO OVERTURN ELECTION
RIP former Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan, a Republican turned independent who died yesterday from cancer. Statement from wife Sherry below, along with photo of the couple, and the former congressman with son Luke. pic.twitter.com/JxWedQL3HP
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 16, 2021
The former congressman announced he was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cancer in early June. He noted that he had undergone surgery two weeks prior to remove a mass and blood clot that had shifted near his heart, Mitchell told WJR-AM News Talk 760 at the time.
“Paul stood up for what matters most, it had nothing to do with political ideology and everything to do with keeping our humanity. For everyone,” the late representative’s wife added.
Mitchell was elected as a Republican in 2017 and represented Michigan‘s 10th Congressional District and served two terms. He is survived by his six children along with six grandchildren.
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On Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on Twitter, calling Mitchell “a fierce, independent voice for Michiganders,” adding that he “led with his values and always spoke out for what he felt was right, even when he had to go against his own party, the president, or conventional political wisdom.”
