CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson died early Saturday while receiving “emergency care” in Carson City, according to a news release from Assembly Democrats. He was 51.
The news release did not provide other details about circumstances of the North Las Vegas Democrat’s death.
Thompson joined the Assembly in 2013 and he later served as chair of the education committee. The news release said he worked on bills that increased student educational opportunities and stopped employment discrimination against people with a criminal record.
Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered that flags at the State Capitol and state public buildings and grounds be lowered to half-staff until sunset Tuesday to honor Thompson.
“I cannot begin to express what a loss this is for our state,” Sisolak said on Twitter. “Assemblyman Thompson stood larger-than-life because of his selfless service to his fellow Nevadans.”
Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, in a statement, described Thompson’s death as sudden and said he was well respected among other Nevada lawmakers for his “dedication and leadership.”
“His warm smile and larger-than-life presence will truly be missed in our Assembly chamber,” Frierson said in a statement.
Several lawmakers took to social media to express grief over his death.
Democratic Assemblyman Steve Yeager wrote on Twitter that “we are absolutely heartbroken. Nobody could light up a room like T-squared.”
Thompson represented a swath of North Las Vegas in Clark County.
Thompson was appointed to the 17th District seat in 2013 and was serving his third elected term.
Before joining the Legislature, Thompson worked at the Clark County Organizational Development Center, the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, and the city of Las Vegas.
He also spent nearly two decades volunteering as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
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This story has been corrected to say that Tyrone Thompson was 51 when he died.
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