JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House member from rural western Missouri has died.
Republican Randy Pike, of Butler, was first elected to the House in 2012 and was running for a second term. His campaign treasurer Barney Fisher said Pike died Saturday at a hospital after swallowing a drink into his lungs. He was 60.
Fisher said Pike had experienced health troubles since a bout with pneumonia and a vehicle accident earlier this year. During the Legislature's veto session earlier this month, Pike used a wheelchair.
Pike served as the Bates County northern commissioner for 12 years before his election to the House. He easily won a primary this August and was to face Democrat Sam Foursha and Constitution Party candidate William Gilmore in the general election for the 126th House District.