Kyle Van De Water, who ran against Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-19) on the Republican ticket during the 2020 election, was found dead on Tuesday. Van De Water leaves behind his wife and four children. He was 41.

According to Mid Hudson News, Town of Poughkeepsie Police responded to a report of a “man down” at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, which they later identified as Van De Water; the death is reportedly being investigated as a suicide.

Van De Water, along with candidates from the Green and Libertarian parties, unsuccessfully ran against Delgado in 2020. This past July, Van De Water had announced that he would run again in 2022. Saying at the time, “Many wrote me off as a sacrificial lamb, however, with the support of party leaders and the voters, our campaign defied the odds. For weeks the race was too close to call and the margin on Election Day was miniscule. Why? Because we had the better message. With your help, I will have the resources this cycle to deliver that message to those I could not personally meet in the last election. I am excited to demonstrate that I am the right person for the job and to once again earn your votes.”

Then in late August, Van De Water announced a reversal of plans. “I have been truly humbled by and will be forever grateful for all of the support I have received these past few years. It has been an honor getting to meet so many of you as I traveled across the district. Unfortunately, circumstances in my life have changed and I am no longer able to give 110 percent towards this endeavor. For the good of the party, and the district, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy. I look forward to vigorously and enthusiastically supporting the GOP candidate in 2022.”

After the new broke of his death, Delgado issued a statement of condolence, while also highlighting the need for better veteran services. “My heart breaks for Kyle, and his beautiful family. We shared a number of conversations about family and country, and I walked away from each one knowing that he had a profound love for both,” said Delgado. “I know he will be immensely missed, and I’m praying for all who loved him – his friends, fellow soldiers, and family. Kyle’s death is tragically felt not only on an individual level, but also nationally, as far too many veterans across our country are going without the support and care that their service to our great land undoubtedly necessitates. We can and must do better. May God rest Kyle’s soul. And may God bless his family.”

Dutchess County Executive Mark Molinaro also expressed his condolences. “My heart is broken for Kyle’s children & family. My prayers are with them as they attempt to come to grips with this tragedy. Kyle was a war hero… We owe him, his family & all our brave service men and women everything for the sacrifices they have made.”

Van De Water grew up in the Poughkeepsie area. According to his candidate page, he graduated from Spackenkill High School in 1998. He went on to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on an ROTC scholarship, and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and economics. After graduating, he joined the Army Reserves and law school before becoming an active-duty servicemember in the U.S. Army in 2006. Eventually he was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan for which he was awarded the Bronze Star in 2011. He was honorably discharged in 2014.

If you are a veteran looking to talk to someone, call the Veteran Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, option 1.