The former U.S. congressman from Utah died on Wednesday, multiple media reported.
Former Republican Congressman Chris Cannon passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday night. Deseret news.he represented He served as the representative for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District from 1997 to 2009, and reportedly served in the role of associate attorney for the Department of the Interior from 1984 to 1986 before running for Congress. (Related: Former Senate President pro tempore Orrin Hatch dies at 88)
According to the paper, Cannon defeated Democratic incumbent Bill Orton in 1996, but ultimately lost to current Fox News host Jason Chafetz in 2008. Utah News Dissemination.
The former congressman reportedly served on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. According to the newspaper, he was one of the House managers who supported former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in the Senate.
Several current and former Utah congressmen expressed their condolences to the former congressman.
“I hope everyone can thank him for his brave and patriotic work in fighting for America,” Chafetz said on Twitter.
Today I heard that Congressman Chris Cannon passed away. God bless you. I hope we can all be grateful for his brave and patriotic work in fighting for America. 🇺🇸 God bless his family.
— Jason Chafetz (@jasoninthehouse) May 9, 2024
Sen. Mike Lee wrote that he was “stunned and saddened” by Cannon’s death.
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, former Congressman Chris Cannon.
I will miss his insight, encouragement, and friendship.
Sharon and I, along with his wife Claudia, the couple’s children and all of their extended family, are saddened by this loss.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 9, 2024
Former chief of staff Joe Hunter wrote on Twitter that Cannon was “tough and certainly headstrong” but was a different person in his personal life.
“He couldn’t walk past a homeless person without searching his pockets. It took him forever to eat lunch or dinner on Capitol Hill. And…he was really funny. Rest in peace, my friend. Sleep,” he added.
In Congress, Chris Cannon was a fighter, tough and certainly stubborn.
In private, he was a different person. He couldn’t walk past a homeless person without searching his pockets. It took forever to eat lunch or dinner on Capitol Hill.
And…he was really funny. Rest in peace my friend. https://t.co/34zQVbWlQR
— Joe Hunter (@MrJoeHunter) May 9, 2024
