BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Former longtime Mandan Republican state Rep. Rae Ann Kelsch has died.
Alex Kelsch says his mother died early Tuesday morning at a New Orleans hospital from a bacterial infection caused by eating raw oysters at a restaurant there. She was 58.
Kelsch was first elected to the North Dakota House in 1990 and served 22 years, including as the chairwoman of the Education Committee.
She was defeated in the 2012 primary, after it came to light she didn’t file state income tax returns for seven years.
Kelsch’s husband, Thomas, a lawyer, said at the time that he was to blame for the tax problems. The couple said the tax bill was eventually paid.
Kelsch served as a lobbyist after her tenure as a lawmaker.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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This version of the story corrects the spelling of Kelsch’s first name.
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