A hotly-contested GOP primary race for a U.S. congressional seat in Indiana was won by a woman who passed away two months ago.
According to the Marion County Coroner’s Office, Jennifer Pace died on March 6. Through a record request, The Epoch Times learned that Ms. Pace’s cause of death is listed as Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease or what is commonly called hardening of the arteries.The 60-year-old candidate, who went by the name “Jenn,” listed an Indianapolis address on her Declaration for Candidacy paperwork, stamped as received by the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office on Feb. 2, 2024.
Ms. Pace was seeking Indiana’s 7th congressional district seat, currently occupied by Democrat Andre Carson. The incumbent has held the seat since 2008.
Mr. Carson won his primary by a landslide, taking 91.3 percent of the vote compared to his two challengers, who combined, won less than 9 percent of the vote.
The Associated Press declared Ms. Pace the winner of the four-candidate race on the Republican ticket. She took in a little over 31 percent of the vote. Catherine Ping came in a close second with 29.9 percent, followed by Philip Davis with 25.7 percent and Gabe Whitley with 13.1 percent of the vote.
The Epoch Times reached out to several representatives of the Marion County Republican Committee about Ms. Pace’s passing, but none responded.
The Indiana Republican Party also had little to say about Ms. Pace’s posthumous victory, releasing only a statement indicating that the state was under no obligation to certify the election results until May 24.
“The official results for the Republican Primary in CD-7 are not required to be certified by the Indiana Election Division until noon on May 24, 2024. Once the Indiana Republican Party receives official notice from the Indiana Election Division of a ballot vacancy, we would then have 30 days from the date of notice to fill the vacancy,” a spokesman said in a statement to The Epoch Times.
The spokesman also noted that a future special caucus will be set by the party chair to fill the vacancy. The Republican party did not offer any condolences about Ms. Pace’s passing.
The Epoch Times also could find no obituary for Ms. Pace, who was previously listed on some tax and court records under her married name “Jennifer Karem.”
Court records show Ms. Pace was involved in a long custody battle with her husband over their three children, now adults, as part of a divorce case that began in 2010 and didn’t end until 2018.
In a candidate profile she completed, Ms. Pace noted that she was a Hoosier native and the proud daughter of a World War II pilot.
According to the 2003 obituary for her father, Jean Winston Pace, he was stationed in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO), the central command operation for all Army air and ground forces.
She cited parental rights, inflation, closing the border and frivolous government spending as her key issues for running for U.S. Congress. She supported two-year term limits for members of Congress.
She also cited a need to restore American values and uphold the U.S. Constitution and “our God-given rights.”
In response to the question, “What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?” she wrote:
“To address overreach, overspending and protect the American people and ensure that tax dollars are going back into strengthening and improving all American citizens within our nation.”
She added that she believes the greatest challenge facing the United States is thwarting “corruption and tyranny.”
Ms. Pace was also asked what legacy she would like to leave.
“My parents said, ‘One day, this great responsibility will rest on the shoulders of you and your generation to protect America and preserve our way of life for your children and future generations.’ I can only hope to give my best and succeed in doing so,” she wrote.
Members of the Christ Cathedral Church in Indianapolis confirmed to The Epoch Times that the late candidate’s parents were long-time members of the church and that they “knew of Ms. Pace” as an adult.
She is listed as a host of the church’s annual Strawberry Festival, a popular event run by a church group called the Cathedral Women. The event, which is in its 58th year, will be held on June 13.
The aspiring congresswoman also wrote about children with disabilities. She listed the “Star Wars” theme as her favorite music and “Braveheart” and “The Patriot,” both starring Mel Gibson, as her favorite movies.
Beyond her candidate profile, there is little other information posted about her. The Epoch Times could find no tribute on any social media platforms.
Ms. Pace’s would-be Democratic opponent votes along traditional party lines. Recently, Mr. Carson voted against the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, the resolution entitled “Denouncing the Biden Administration’s immigration policies,” and the Laken Riley Act, which would require Homeland Security to take custody of any immigrants charged with theft.
