The fifth-term congresswoman was popular among Democrats in Congress. A member of the Black Caucus and the powerful Ways and Means Committee. She chaired the House ethics committee. Tubbs Jones was a hit back home, too… soundly beating every Republican challenger she faced since taking office in 1999. She helped secure millions of dollars for port facilities and hospitals in Cleveland, and led a fight to improve voting irregularities in presidential elections.
Tubbs Jones earned respect in spite, or perhaps because, of the fact that she served with the courage of her convictions.
Throughout the presidential primaries, she was an outspoken backer for Hillary Clinton, though her district leaned favorably to Barack Obama.
In an interview earlier this year, Tubbs Jones talked about the upcoming November race. She gave a nod to President Bush's affable style, but said she was looking for something else in a Commander-in-Chief:
TUBBS JONES: I don't necessarily need someone that is very easy to get along with - I need someone that's going to do something and make a difference…
In any situation, personality is going to make a difference. But I'd give up personality if it's going to get some accomplishments.
After Clinton conceded, Tubbs Jones threw her support to Senator Barack Obama. Otherwise her commitments remained unchanged. The congresswoman had planned on being a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.
TUBBS JONES: The next president is going to focus on infrastructure and the next president is going to have to figure out how do we put money back into to sewer systems and to bridges and water systems, but more importantly than the President's agenda is the people's agenda and I think that is what you are hearing out here or at least what I am here as I am out campaigning the people's agenda has been ignored.
When news broke of his Ohio colleague's dire condition, Congressman Dennis Kucinich yesterday issued a statement saying he planned to return to Cleveland. Ohio Republican Steven La Tourette praised his friend of more than 20 years, calling her - quote - "a loving and exuberant spirit."
For 90.3, I'm Elizabeth Wynne Johnson, Capitol News Connection in Washington.