Iowa Libertarian Senate Candidate In Contested Race, Dies In Plane Crash

The 2014 U.S. Senate race is currently the most talked about and watched senate race in years. Just like the congressional race in 2010, these midterm elections in the senate are sure to be nail-biter. There has been an increased amount of independent and third party candidates this time around, the Libertarian party is the biggest of all third parties. The Inquisitr reported on Joni Ernst candidacy, and unusual two week break in July.

Iowa, itself, is one of the most watched races in the 2014 senate midterm elections. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy, the Iowa senate race will be sans one candidate. According to KCRG, in a bizarre turn of events, Dr. Doug Butzier has died suddenly and tragically in a plane crash Tuesday morning. Dr. Butzier was the Libertarian senate candidate running in Iowa against Joni Ernst (R) and Bruce Braley (D).

“Dalsing said the plane missed its first approach to the runway and crashed while approaching for a second time. Around an inch and a half of rain fell in the Dubuque area throughout the day and into the night Monday, though Dalsing said it wasn’t clear if weather played a role in the crash.”

Authorities say that the Iowa senate candidate was the only one in the plane at the time of the crash, and that the crash itself happened around 11:00 pm Monday evening, according to USA Today. The Federal Aviation Administration, and corresponding agencies, are on their way to investigate the crash. However, there is no further word as to what caused the crash at this time.

KCRG also reported that dozens of campaign signs littered the wreckage, his friends say that was a sign of the man who had a desire to make a difference in politics.

Dr. Doug Butzier was an emergency room doctor by trade, and president of Mercy Hospital, the unfortunate place that confirmed his passing Tuesday evening. His fellow Libertarian running for governor spoke about his political colleague, USA Today reported.

“He could get dressed up in a suit and talk in front of a big crowd but at the end of the day he was just a man of the people. Iowa and the cause of liberty are diminished by his passing.”

Iowa senate candidate Butzier was third in the rankings under his Democrat and Republican opponents. According to Public Policy Polling, they had Democrat Bruce Braley at 41 percent, Republican Joni Ernst at 40 percent, and Libertatian Dr. Doug Butzier at 2 percent. The remainder of the votes were divided amongst the remaining independent challengers, with the fourth place slot going to “undecided.”

Other polls showed Candidate Joni Ernst having a lead over Bruce Braley with independent voters and likely voters that has since shrunk, according to the New York Times. Both Republican and Democratic candidates issued statements regarding Libertarian Butzier’s tragic passing. In another bizarre turn of events, Dr. Butzier’s name will remain on the ballot, as some votes are already in.