Incumbent Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee debates challenger Democrat Brad Morris at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, a Republican and Mississippi native, died Friday at the age of 56 after a year-long battle with brain cancer.
For the past year, Nunnelee had been treated for brain cancer, after a tumor was discovered last spring. He was reelected in November, but because of his condition, he was unable to take the oath of office at Capitol Hill.
On Jan. 12, according to CNN, he was sworn into office at a medical center in Mississippi. Fourteen days later, on Jan. 26, he was placed in hospice care.
Many political figures made statements mourning his death, including President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and Sen. Thad Cochran.
Nunnelee was viewed as a man of strong faith, according to a statement made by President Obama.
“Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Representative Alan Nunnelee,” Obama said. “A proud son of Tupelo, Alan never wavered in his determination to serve the men and women who placed their trust in him, even as he bravely battled the illness that ultimately took his life. As a Sunday School teacher and a deacon at his church, Alan believed deeply in the power of faith and the strength of American families.”
Not only did he leave an impact on political leaders, but he was also seen as a political icon whom many University of Mississippi students admired.
Former Associated Student Body president Gregory Alston, an Ole Miss graduate and first-year law student, worked as a field director for Oxford on Nunnelee’s campaign in 2012. Alston did not know Nunnelee beforehand but was able to become more familiar with him through working on his campaign. He saw Nunnelee as a selfless person – a man who wanted to help his state in every way possible.
“Everywhere we would go during the campaign, he would talk about what the people need, what he can do and what he wanted to do to help the state of Mississippi,” Alston said. “He just really put others before himself.”
During his term as ASB president, Alston tried to think about how people in leadership positions standup for what they believe in and try to do the right thing without conforming.
“(Nunnelee) was a great example that I looked up to, because he was very firm in what he believed in while also listening to other people,” Alston said.
Senior public policy leadership major Taylor Lowe interned in Nunnelee’s office last July. Because Nunnelee was recovering during the time of her internship, she was unable to meet him in person. However, Lowe noticed that the office she worked in was a reflection of him.
“His office was family-like, and I feel like it was altered in that way because of him,” Lowe said. “He was always very interested in what was going on, and I think it probably upset him that he was not able to be present and represent to the best of his ability.”
Pearce Crosland, junior integrated marketing communications major and vice chairman of the College Republicans had the opportunity to meet Nunnelee when he visited Washington, D.C.
He sat down with Nunnelee along with a few others and had lunch. He described the experience as nerve-wracking at first.
“However, 10 minutes into it, it was like I was sitting at Ajax with a group of buddies just shooting the breeze,” Crosland said. “He made everyone feel like he was a regular person and was a great person to get advice from.”
Within 60 days, according to Mississippi election law, Gov. Phil Bryant will have to set an election date to fill Nunnelee’s vacant seat. The election itself must take place no more than 60 days after that.
Alston, Lowe and Crosland all believe that the person who is elected to take Nunnelee’s spot will have big shoes to fill.
“I know whoever takes the role knows they are not going to be an Alan Nunnelee,” Crosland said. “There was no one like him, and he cannot be replaced. We lost a one-of-a-kind individual.”
Nunnelee’s funeral will take place today at 2:30 p.m. in Tupelo at Calvary Baptist Church.
