Former congressional candidate Kyle Van De Water found dead
CAPITAL REGION (WRGB) — The Poughkeepsie Journal is reporting Tuesday night that former congressional candidate, army veteran and attorney, Kyle Van De Water has been found dead.
Van De Water had served in Afghanistan.
Police reportedly found his body at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
We interviewed Van De Water just last year, when he ran on the Republican ticket against Democratic Congressman Antonio Delgado to represent New York's 19th district.
That district includes most of the southern Capital Region.
Van De Water had announced plans to challenge Delgado again, but his death Tuesday, comes less than two weeks after he announced he was withdrawing his candidacy.
In that announcement, Van De Water said circumstances in his life had changed, and he was quote "no longer able to give 110 percent towards this endeavor."
Van De Water was 41 years old.
Lawmakers are reacting to this news.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro says in a statement, "My heart is broken for Kyle's children and family. My prayers are with them as they attempt to come to grips with this absolute tragedy."
And Van De Water's former opponent - Congressman Delgado - also sharing his thoughts on this difficult news.
He writes, "We shared a number of conversations about family and country, and I walked away from each one knowing that he had a profound love for both."
Van De Water’s cause of death is not being released Tuesday night -- but in their statements, both Molinaro and Delgado, listed veterans crisis help lines and other resources.
We have information for where veterans can turn to call, text or chat online.
These resources are free and confidential.
