Dr. Douglas Butzier, the Libertarian candidate in the Iowa Senate race, was killed in a plane crash Monday night.
Local ABC affiliate
KCRG.com reports that Butzier, who was piloting a single-engine Piper PA-46 and was the sole occupant, crashed around 11 p.m. a mile north of the Dubuque Regional Airport runway. He had reportedly taken off at 10 p.m.
Todd Dalsing, the airport's assistant manager, said the plane missed its approach to land on the first attempt and crashed on the second approach.
Butzier was an emergency room physician at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and was running against Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley to take over the seat left by the soon-to-be retired Tom Harkin, a Democrat.
"I am deeply saddened to learn the tragic news about Dr. Doug Butzier," Ernst said in a statement on her website. "I appreciated Doug's willingness to contribute to this important election. In addition to representing Libertarians in this campaign, Doug served his community as an ER doctor and medical leader. Gail and I will keep Doug's family in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn their untimely loss."
One recent poll showed Ernst had a one-point lead over Braley.
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