OLYMPIA, Wash. – State Senator Doug Ericksen of Ferndale has passed away at age 52.

His office in Olympia released the following statement from his family:

“We are heartbroken to share that our husband and father passed away on Friday, Dec. 17. Please keep our family in your prayers and thank you for continuing to respect our privacy in this extremely difficult time.

-Tasha, Elsa, and Addi Ericksen”

No official cause of death has been released but the Republican contacted his colleagues in the state Senate while on a trip to El Salvador in November and notified them that he had contracted COVID-19.

He said at the time that he was suffering with a serious bout of the illness and asked for assistance in attaining monoclonal antibody treatments that weren’t available in the Central American country.

A person close to the senator later said he had been medivacked to Florida for treatment, but his family hasn’t released any information about his condition for weeks.

State Senator Jeff Wilson of Longview said that his leadership was unmatched.

“He was never afraid to be controversial. He was the Senator that the progressives loved to not love,” said Wilson. “He truly was one of the best speakers in the Senate. He could think on his feet. When he spoke, we all listened. Both sides.”

Senator Wilson added that Ericksen’s work and presence won’t be easily forgotten.

“He leaves behind a very lengthy and meaningful legacy as a statesman in the Washington State Senate,” said Wilson. “Doug’s presence meant so much to many of us. And he was admired. He was an articulate defender of individual freedoms for all of us.”

Ericksen represented the 42nd District in the State House for six terms and was elected to the state Senate in the same district in 2010.

The Whatcom County Council will be meeting this week to determine how Senator Ericksen’s position will be filled.

Councilmember Kathy Kershner told KING 5 that they’re hoping to fill the 42nd district seat as soon as possible, as the next legislative session begins on January 10th.

Kershner added that county Republicans are tasked with providing a list of potential replacements for Ericksen’s seat.

Councilmember Rud Browne said that whoever does end up taking over the role will need to shift their focus towards flood recovery efforts in Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas.