Obama staffer collapses at campaign headquarters, dies

Alex Okrent, a 29-year-old Obama campaign staffer, died Friday after collapsing at Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago.

According to a report in the Chicago Sun Times, paramedics were called to Obama headquarters and Okrent was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

President Obama, who was campaigning in Virginia on Friday, called Okrent’s family to offer his condolences. The president also spoke to staffers at his Chicago headquarters via conference call. 

Okrent worked on Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign and his first race for president in 2008.

On Friday afternoon OFA’s National Field Director Jeremy Bird tweeted, “we will miss you Alex. You left a beautiful legacy. We will never forget your spirit or passion.”

Update: Mitt Romney took to Twitter late Friday to offer his condolences. The candidate tweeted, “Ann & I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Alex Okrent. Prayers are with Alex’s loved ones and the entire Obama campaign team.”

In response to Romney, Obama senior adviser David Axelrod tweeted, “Thank you, governor. Alex was a beloved member of our team. It’s been a very emotional day.”