Dispatch Statehouse reporter Jim Siegel died Tuesday at age 46.

He was found unresponsive at his home after taking a morning run, and died at Mt. Carmel East. No cause has been determined.

Well-liked and well-respected by colleagues, competitors and those he covered, Siegel was hailed by top state officials of both parties.

“Fran and I are so sorry to learn of the death of Jim Siegel," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "Jim was one of the most respected members of the Statehouse news corps. Jim had a gift for explaining the complexities of state government and the legislative process to all his readers.

"I will miss his insight and his reporting. Fran and I extend our sincerest condolences to Jim’s family and the entire Columbus Dispatch newsroom.”

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Former Ohio Attorney General Rich Cordray, who ran against DeWine last year, tweeted: Jim Siegel was a gentleman, always fair and worthy of a noble profession. Terribly sad news."

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a former legislator whom Siegel covered, said, “I’ve known Jim for many years and been interviewed by him many times. He was a true professional. Jim’s questions could be tough, but they were always fair. Jim always seemed to have a scoop that no one else had — something fueled by the great relationships he built on both a professional and a personal level.



“Jim was a great reporter and a kind and decent man. His death is a terrible loss for Ohio, for journalism, and for those of us who will truly miss seeing him. Tina and I extend our deepest condolences to the Siegel family and will continue to keep them in our prayers.”

Attorney General Dave Yost said, "Siegel was one of the last of a dying breed — a journalist who wanted to get the story, get it right and get it first, with a skeptical mind and an open heart. Billy Joel got it right: 'Only the good die young.'"

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman tweeted: "Jane and I are heartbroken by the news of the passing of Jim Siegel (@phrontpage). Jim was a dedicated reporter who set the standard high for all those in the industry. Praying for his family, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time."

Senate President Larry Obhof, who asked for thoughts and prayers for Siegel before news conferences both Tuesday and Wednesday on the state budget, said, "Jim Siegel represented the very best of journalism. He took the time to establish relationships and gain a deep understanding of the facts, stories and people he wrote about. He was well-respected around the Capitol, and he earned that respect every day through his hard work and unparalleled integrity.

"Jim will be deeply missed by the members of the Ohio Senate and by the people of Ohio."

House Speaker Larry Householder said, "He was a first-rate journalist in every sense: knowledgeable, inquisitive, unfailingly professional and always passionate about serving the readers of The Columbus Dispatch. He was their eyes and ears at the Statehouse, covering issues that directly impacted their lives. It was a calling that he took seriously, and one he did exceptionally well.

"On behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives, I extend our deepest condolences to Jim's family."

Dispatch Editor Alan D. Miller said, "Jim was a newsman's newsman — a professional who treated everyone with kindness and respect, even when pressing lawmakers on difficult questions. And state officials treated him with respect because they knew that he was doing his job and that he would always be fair."

Miller said that Siegel's reporting went beneath the surface and beyond the noise of state government politics. Siegel used data and critical analysis to provide sophisticated, analytical reporting on proposals, policies and budgets that surfaced at the Statehouse.

"Our hearts go out to Jim's family. While he was passionate about keeping lawmakers accountable and Dispatch readers informed, his family came first and he was devoted to his wife and sons," Miller said.

Former Dispatch Editor Ben Marrison, who now works for Yost, said, "Jim Siegel was a remarkable journalist and person. He was universally respected for his even-handedness, integrity and the respect he showed to everyone regardless of their place in life.

"I can't recall ever hearing a negative word about Jim when I was his editor — from Republicans or Democrats. His passing is a loss on so many levels. It's heartbreaking."

Even in a contentious congressional race Siegel covered, the 12th district special election last August, candidates from both sides offered praise.

"Jim was a consummate professional," said Congressman Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville. "He was among the best in his field, and a beloved and trusted member of the Statehouse Press Corps. My heart breaks for his family, friends, and the entire Capitol Square community. His passing is a tragic loss for all Ohioans."

Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor linked to an article from the campaign and tweeted, "Jim Siegel wrote this article about a year ago over breakfast at my fiancées’ home. It was comfortable conversation at a heated time, as reflected in the really nice article he wrote. Jim was easy to talk to and a great reporter. We will all sure miss him."

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose tweeted, "Ohio’s press corps has lost a great one. Jim Siegel was the consummate professional. He knew what it meant to be a news man and honored journalism with how he conducted himself.



"My heart breaks for his family, friends and colleagues at @DispatchAlerts. Rest In Peace @phrontpage"

State Auditor Keith Faber, former Ohio Senate president, tweeted: "Terribly saddened by the passing of Jim Siegel — @phrontpage was a quality reporter and an asset to our state. I will miss seeing him around the Statehouse. Praying for his family and everyone at @DispatchAlerts during this difficult time."

State Treasurer Robert Sprague, a former state representative, tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jim Siegel and @DispatchAlerts. Jim’s reporting of Statehouse happenings, and more importantly, his class, were second to none and he will be missed."

Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, said in a release, “I am stunned and deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of Jim Siegel. Jim was one of the most professional and respected reporters on Capitol Square. He was always fair and friendly, but tough – an impeccable journalist that his colleagues sought to emulate. This loss will be sorely felt by the Cap Square community and all those who followed his insightful and thorough reporting.

“On behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus, I send our deepest sympathies to Jim’s wife, sons, his Dispatch family and all those who are mourning this untimely loss.”

House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said in a release: “Jim was the ultimate professional, dedicated to real, tough, but fair journalism, and a true leader among the Statehouse press corps. His commitment to building relationships, not just on a professional level, but on a personal one made him a beloved figure on Capitol Square. I’m proud to have called Jim a friend.

"On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Stacy, his sons and the rest of his family during this time. He will truly be missed.”

Siegel came to The Dispatch in 2005 and primarily covered the legislature the past 14 years. He displayed incisive knowledge of school funding, where he delved into the system's intricacies to show Ohioans hidden ramifications for their districts from state legislators' actions — or inaction. Siegel brought the same talents to analyzing Ohio's taxation system, again shining a light on the difference between lawmakers' rhetoric and reality.

The Ohio School Boards Association, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials issued a joint release acknowledging his expertise:

"He will be sorely missed by those who valued his professionalism and expertise in reporting on the workings of Ohio’s state government. In particular, we will miss his fair and accurate accounts of the state’s education policy and schoolfunding system. Siegel not only was an excellent writer but also took the time to truly understand the issues about which he wrote. He was very knowledgeable about school funding, and we always appreciated his depictions of everything from proposed budget bills to the plight of Ohio’s economically disadvantaged students."

One of his most popular sets of stories came after state budgets were passed and he spelled out their impact for Ohioans of almost every variety. Siegel was a regular guest on WOSU-TV's Columbus on the Record and on WOSU-FM for All Sides with Ann Fisher, a former Dispatch colleague. And his was the voice that opened every Buckeye Forum podcast. His Twitter handle was appropriate for a journalist: @phrontpage.

His last story for The Dispatch was published — yes, on the front page — the day he died. It was a question-and-answer piece explaining to readers the top issues in the state budget.

Previously, he had been a Statehouse reporter in the Cincinnati Enquirer's Columbus bureau, following a stint at the Mansfield News Journal.

A native of eastern Ohio, Siegel was a graduate of West Liberty University in West Virginia, where he played football. Siegel was a fixture at Gahanna High School lacrosse matches, announcing the action from the booth and enlivening the crowd with a personalized playlist. His son, Ben, who just graduated from Gahanna, was a member of the team.

Siegel also enthusiastically attended the Special Olympics events of his younger son, Vince.

He is survived by his wife, Stacy, their teenage sons, his parents, sisters and other relatives.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

drowland@dispatch.com

@darreldrowland