Former candidate Marc Trager commits suicide

HOWARD - Marc Trager, a former candidate for the 8th Congressional District, committed suicide Tuesday, Brown County sheriff's officials said.

Authorities said they were called to Trager's Howard home just after noon. When they arrived, they found Trager with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said nothing at the scene indicated anything suspicious. The investigation remains open, however.

"At this point, there's still a lot of pieces of the puzzle to put together. We're currently going to be talking to neighbors, looking at evidence around the scene, so it's going to be a long process,” said Chief Deputy John Gossage.

As investigators took over the scene, Gossage described the mood inside the home as somber. He said the Trager family was meeting with friends and clergy.

“We're working with all of those individuals to make sure this is as painless a process as possible,” Gossage said.

Trager announced his candidacy for the 8th District seat at a press conference last November.

"I see people out of work, and I see jobs disappearing,” Trager told the audience.

It was the Republican's first run for office.

He said he felt incumbent Democrat Steve Kagen had not done enough to help the struggling economy.

Trager dropped out the race June 15, citing unexpected and unspecified health issues which demanded his immediate attention. When Trager dropped out he endorsed state Rep. Roger Roth for the Congressional seat.

Roth spoke with FOX 11 Tuesday about his friendship with Trager.

“I mean this man he was a remarkable figure, and he wanted to make his community a better place. That was his drive, and for anyone that was able to see him up close and personal, they could see that,” said Roth.

After Trager's passing, the Republican Party of Wisconsin's chair said in a statement:

"I was devastated to hear about the tragedy involving Dr. Marc Trager this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family during this sad and deeply personal time." Reince Priebus went on to say, “Dr. Trager had established himself as a new and important voice in putting government back in the hands of the people."

Reid Ribble, a Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District, released this statement:

"Today is an incredibly sad day. Marc Trager was a devoted husband, father and respected member of our community. I have a profound respect for him and his family. DeaNa and I express our sincere condolences to Mary and the children, and their family is in our thoughts and prayers."

Marc Savard, another Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District, also released a statement:

"The news of Dr. Trager’s death comes as a great shock and with deep personal sadness to me. Dr. Trager was a great American who wanted nothing but the best for his country and his community. He will be sorely missed and my prayers go with his family in their time of sorrow."

U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, the Democrat who currently holds the Congressional seat Trager had been seeking, released the following statement:

“I am shocked and saddened by today’s news. The entire Kagen family extends their love and condolences to the Trager family in their time of need.”