The Democratic candidate trying to succeed the longest-serving sheriff in Illinois history has died.

Johnson County Sheriff Elry Faulkner tells WSIL-TV that Jay Merchant was found unresponsive Tuesday by a family member and was later pronounced dead at a Marion Hospital.

The cause of death has not been released.

Merchant was a former Vienna Correctional Center warden who ran unopposed as a Democrat in last week's primary election. He was to face Republican and part-time sheriff's deputy Charles Harner in November.

Merchant had spent three decades with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Faulkner is retiring after 40 years as sheriff.

Ben185
Ben185
loading...

More From KHMO-AM 1070, News-Talk-Sports