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The wife of Doug Butzier confirmed Tuesday morning to KCRG-TV that it was Butzier who was killed in a plane crash Monday.View videoButzier is running for U.S. Senate as the Libertarian candidate against Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley.The crash was reported Monday night near Dubuque Regional Airport."I was just sitting in there watching TV and all that I heard was an airplane going vrrrmmm -- boom! Blew up, came up and seen big ole flames on the neighbor's yard," plane crash witness Jeremy Becker told KCRG-TV.Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the Piper PA-46 crashed around 11 p.m. Monday on approach to the airport, about a mile north of the runway.Lunsford said law enforcement told him the sole occupant of the aircraft was killed in the crash. Lunsford said the plane took off from Ankeny Regional Airport about an hour before the crash.The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.PARTY REACTION:The Libertarian Party candidate for governor, Dr. Lee Hieb, said Butzier put his heart and soul into running with a firm belief in individual liberty.Hieb said Butzier just last weekend had flown her and several Libertarian Party candidates around the state to campaign.Hieb, an orthopedic surgeon, says she talked medicine with Butzier, a Dubuque emergency room surgeon, during some of their campaign events. He told her he became a Libertarian after studying economics for a Master of Business Administration about seven years ago.She said "Iowa and the cause of individual liberty are significantly diminished by his passing."Butzier's campaign website said he grew up in Cedar Falls and graduated from the University of Iowa. He is an ER doctor and medical staff president at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque.ERNST STATEMENT:Joni Ernst issued the following statement after the DEATH:"I am deeply saddened to learn the tragic news about Dr. Doug Butzier. I appreciated Doug's willingness to contribute to this important election. In addition to representing Libertarians in this campaign, Doug served his community as an ER doctor and medical leader. Gail and I will keep Doug's family in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn their untimely loss."BRALEY STATEMENT:Bruce Braley released the following statement on Butzier's death:"I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden and tragic death of Doug Butzier. I have enormous respect for anyone who puts their name forward as a candidate for public office. Carolyn and I send our thoughts and prayers to Dr. Butzier's wife and family during this difficult time."