Former Pennsylvania Rep. Fitzpatrick dead at 56

Former Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has died at 56.

His death was confirmed to the Bucks County Courier Times by the head of the Bucks County GOP, Pat Poprik. 

Fitzpatrick was first elected Congress in 2004, serving one term. He went on to be elected again in 2010 and served three terms. 

He did not seek reelection in the 2018 midterms due to self-imposed term limits. 

He was succeeded by his brother Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R), who won the seat in 2018.

Brian Fitzpatrick honored his brother in a statement shared on Twitter Monday, calling him his hero and best friend.

“Ever since I was little, I wanted to live up to him and be just like Mike in every way,” the congressman said. “He was the greatest brother and the greatest public servant our community has ever known.”

Michael Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008.

In his statement, Brian Fitzpatrick said his brother’s 12-year fight with cancer “has taught our entire family his values of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.”

Updated Tuesday at 7:58 a.m.