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Teresa Ellsworth. (Submitted photo) (Picasa 3.0)

LONDONDERRY -- Teresa Ellsworth, a Londonderry resident who mounted a Progressive Party run for state representative in the Aug. 26 primary, died Sunday.

The cause of Ellsworth's death was not clear, but Vermont State Police -- as is standard procedure -- investigated Ellsworth's death and found nothing suspicious.

Progressive Party leaders on Wednesday noted the loss of an enthusiastic candidate who had expressed an interest in furthering some of the organization's key ideals.

"We were all shocked and saddened to hear about Teresa's passing," said Kelly Mangan, elections director of the Vermont Progressive Party. "She was passionate about social justice, and she believed that we can make the world a better place."

State Rep. Chris Pearson, a Burlington lawmaker who is the House Progressive Caucus leader, expressed "my sadness and deep condolences for her family."

Ellsworth ran as a Progressive for the Windham-Bennington-Windsor state House District, which consists of the towns of Jamaica, Londonderry, Stratton, Weston and Winhall.

She was a former New York state resident who had relocated to Vermont with her husband. Ellsworth had run for tax collector in a New York town, but this was her first political campaign in Vermont.

In an interview with the Reformer before last month's primary, Ellsworth said she was "very interested in politics."

"I've spent some time in Montpelier with the Progressive Party," she said.

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Progressives note death of state House candidate