U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski: What to know about her life, career and death

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-2nd District) was killed in a car crash in Elkhart County on Wednesday along with three others, according to the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department.

Here's what we know about Walorksi and those killed in the fatal accident:

Jackie Walorski killed in crash

Around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, Rep. Walorski and staffers Zach Potts, 27, and Emma Thomson, 28, were in a Toyota RAV 4 just south of Wakarus, returning from a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Claypool.

The vehicle, driven by Potts, was heading north on Ind. 19, just south of the roundabout intersection with Ind. 119, when it "crossed the center line for reasons that are unknown at this time," according to police, and hit the southbound Buick LeSabre driven by Nappanee resident Edith Schmucker, 56, head on.

Walorski, Potts, Thomson and Schmucker were all killed.

On the day of the crash, police originally stated that Walorski's vehicle had been heading south on Ind. 19, and that Schmucker was the one who had crossed the center line. Further investigation, witness statements and video of the crash prompted the police to issue a correction the next day.

When is Rep. Jackie Walorski's funeral?

The public funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Mishawaka. The funeral procession will then travel east on Cleveland Road to Capital Avenue (Ind. 331), south on Capital Avenue to Kern Road, and west on Kern Road to Southlawn Cemetery, 61430 U.S. 31.

A recommended area for residents to watch the procession is Grissom Middle School, at the intersection of Kern and Elm Roads. The vehicles are expected to pass that site between 12:30 and 1 p.m.

Why are flags at half-staff in Indiana today?

Flags across the state are being flown at half-staff in honor of Walorski, as ordered by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Aug. 3 in accordance with an order from President Joe Biden. The flags will remain at that height through her funeral Thursday, Aug. 11.

Who were Zach Potts and Emma Thomson?

Zach Potts was the chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party, a position he had held since being selected by the party in February 2019. At the age of 24, Potts said at the time that he was the youngest party chairman in the state. Potts also served as Walorski's district director.

He got involved in politics during his freshman year at Indiana University South Bend before working on Walorski's campaigns.

According to the Legistorm website, Potts served as Walorski's campaign manager from January 2017-November 2018, as a field representative for her from December 2018-January 2020, and her district director since January 2020.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Emma Thomson had been Walorski's communications director since July 2021. Before that, she had filled the same role for U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess and U.S. Rep. John Joyce.

Jackie Walorski's political career

After graduating from Taylor University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and public administration, Walorsk, a South Bend native, spent the first four years of her career as a reporter for WSBT-TV.

Walorski then moved on to leadership or fund-raising positions at the St. Joseph County Humane Society, Ancilla College, the South Bend Regional Chamber and Indiana University South Bend, before founding and operating a Christian ministry in Romania for four years with her husband, Dean Swihart.

Walorski was elected to the Indiana House in 2004, 2006 and 2008 before losing her first congressional election in 2010 to two-term incumbent Joe Donnelly.

Indiana reacts to fatal crashIndiana and U.S. Capitol flags to be lowered at half-staff for Rep. Jackie Walorski

After the 2010 census, the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly redrew the boundaries of the 10-county 2nd District to remove Democrat-leaning Michigan City and add heavily Republican areas of Elkhart and Kosciusko counties. In the 2012, Walorski narrowly beat Democrat Brendan Mullen. She won re-election by 21 percentage points in 2014, 18 points in 2016, 14 points in 2018 and 23 points in 2020, despite never winning St. Joseph County.

Walorski was one of 147 Republicans who voted to not certify the Electoral College results awarding the presidency to President Joseph Biden hours after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Walorski won the Republican primary for the Indiana 2nd Congressional District on May 3, 2022.

Walorski:Objection to election results was meant to 'shine a light' on voting concerns

Indiana, national leaders react to Walorski's death

"My heart is broken for Dean, the Walorski family, and all who knew and loved my friend Jackie." — U.S. Rep. Jim Banks

"I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash." — Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

"@KarenPence and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our dear friend Rep. Jackie Walorski. She served Indiana in the Statehouse and the Congress with integrity and principle for nearly two decades and will be deeply missed." — Vice President Mike Pence

U.S. Rep. Walorski's deathIndiana, national leaders react

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Flags at half-mast through Thursday to honor U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski