Libertarian Senate hopeful dies in Iowa

Dr. Doug Butzier, a Libertarian candidate for Senate in Iowa, died Monday night, after the plane he was piloting crashed.

According to the TV station KCRG, the Federal Aviation Administration said Butzier’s single-engine plane crashed near the Dubuque Regional Airport. The plane apparently could not land its first time and he was trying a second time when the plane crashed. 

{mosads}The station’s report notes it rained in Dubuque that night, but it’s not clear whether that was a factor. Reports say Butzier was the only one in the plane.   
 
“Doug touched many lives and will be greatly missed. He was a great guy,” Tom Schreiber, the family’s spokesman, said.
 
Butzier was born in the Hawkeye State, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1980 and received his medical doctorate from the school in 1984, according to his campaign website. After practicing medicine in Washington state and Arizona, he moved to Dubuque, where he was an emergency-room doctor. He is survived by his wife, two children and three stepchildren.
 
Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the two main candidates in the Iowa Senate race, both released statements after their opponent’s death.
 
“I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden and tragic death of Doug Butzier. I have enormous respect for anyone who puts their name forward as a candidate for public office. Carolyn and I send our thoughts and prayers to Dr. Butzier’s wife and family during this difficult time,” Braley said in a statement released to KCCI News in Iowa.
 
“I am deeply saddened to learn the tragic news about Dr. Doug Butzier. I appreciated Doug’s willingness to contribute to this important election. In addition to representing Libertarians in this campaign, Doug served his community as an ER doctor and medical leader. Gail and I will keep Doug’s family in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn their untimely loss,” Ernst said in a statement to the news station.

Butzier was polling well behind Braley and Ernst, and had not been expected to pose a significant challenge in the race.