The Republican Party is shell-shocked today by the sudden death of one of its own.
On Friday, Rep. Don Young (R-AK) passed away at Los Angeles International Airport while traveling back home.
He was 88 years old.
The Dean
Young was the Dean of the House.
He was the longest-serving member in the House, having served 25 terms, already having announced that he was running for this 26th term.
Until a few years ago, he looked like a man in his 50s or 60s, but that changed dramatically over the last two years.
Young had a long career, but it was also a controversial one.
For instance, he once held a knife to the throat of Rep. Boehner (R-OH) before he was chosen as the House speaker.
He also found himself the subject of an ethics probe that resulted in him having to pay $59,000 back to his campaign after dipping into the till to pay for more than a dozen hunting trips.
His cause of death has not yet been released.
Young is survived by his wife and two children.