The newly elected mayor of Nampa, Idaho, Rick Hogaboam, passed away unexpectedly during a town hall meeting, as confirmed by the coroner on Thursday.
The incident occurred Wednesday night while Hogaboam, 47, was speaking at the Treasure Valley Partnership event in Eagle.
Brad Pike, the mayor of Eagle and a former firefighter, attempted CPR but could not revive Hogaboam. Despite a swift response from police, firefighters, and medical personnel, Hogaboam did not survive and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of death was identified as cardiac tamponade, a condition where fluid surrounds the heart, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively, according to the Ada County coroner’s office.
This rare complication affects about two in 10,000 people and can arise from various underlying health issues such as cancer, HIV, or autoimmune diseases. Treatment typically involves a procedure to drain the excess fluid, known as pericardiocentesis. If not addressed, it can be life-threatening.
Although the signs of cardiac tamponade include low blood pressure and swelling in the neck veins, not all patients show the complete set of symptoms, with 10 to 40 percent lacking some indicators, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
Hogaboam had a devoted family life, being married and a father to five children. His political career advanced rapidly; he moved from being a city council member to becoming mayor in under a decade, winning the mayoral election last November against three competitors.
During a Nampa City Council meeting on Thursday, colleagues honored him by placing a vase of flowers in his designated seat, a gesture reported by local media.
“We are heartbroken as we wanted to work alongside such an admirable person,” said City Councilor Debbie Skaug.
The council has a 90-day window to appoint a new mayor, who will serve until the next municipal election in November 2027. They aim to proceed with appointing a successor while taking time to pay tribute to Hogaboam’s legacy.
City Councilor Sebastian Glynn reflected on Hogaboam’s impact, saying, “He had the gift of making every day count; let’s honor him by treating each other with kindness and appreciating the time we have.” Hogaboam’s memorial service is scheduled for March 31 at the Ford Idaho Center.
