By Brad Palmer
Taylorville, IL – The Green Party candidate seeking to unseat Republican Congressman John Shimkus died unexpectedly Friday night.
75-year-old Vic Roberts passed away in his sleep.
Green Party spokesperson Rich Whitney said Roberts' death came as a shock. Whitney said the former coal miner will be missed as a strong advocate for the working man.
Roberts had run previously as a Democratic candidate in the 19th Congressional district before running unopposed in the Green Party primary this year.
Whitney says he does not yet know if someone else will attempt to step in for Roberts on the Green Party ticket.