Mississippi Rep. Nunnelee dies after battle with brain cancer
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Mississippi Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee died Friday, following a battle with brain cancer. He was 56.
His family said in a statement that Nunnelee "has gone home to be with Jesus."
"He was well loved and will be greatly missed," the family said.
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The congressman, elected in 2010 after serving more than a decade in the Mississippi state Senate, was known as a fighter.
Decades ago, he had lost much of his eyesight because of a degenerative disease, but it was restored through corneal transplants. In 2014, he suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor.
Though he could not take the oath at the start of the 114th Congress, the House passed a resolution so he could be sworn in by a judge in Mississippi.
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Nunnelee was told in January that a new tumor had developed and no further medical treatment was possible.
Nunnelee is survived by his wife, Tori, and three children.