Casten’s teen daughter has died
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (WLS) — Illinois Congressman Sean Casten’s office shared tragic news Monday to announce the death of his daughter, Gwen. She was 17.
The family didn’t say how she died, but they are asking for privacy.
In a statement Monday, his office said, “This morning, Congressman Casten’s beloved daughter, Gwen (17), passed away. The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time.”
Casten (D, Downers Grove) is currently running for a third term against Congresswoman Marie Newman. The Casten campaign temporarily pulled its TV ads. Newman’s campaign is stopping all ads comparing the two candidates.
Newman said in a statement, “My heart breaks for the Casten family for the devastating loss of their daughter. My prayers are with Sean, Kara, and the entire Casten family.”
Gwen Casten, featured in a political ad for her father, Illinois Rep. Sean Casten, died Monday, June 13, 2022. She was 17.
Gwen Casten, the 17-year-old daughter of Rep. Sean Casten has died, according to a statement from his office.
“This morning, Congressman Casten’s beloved daughter, Gwen (17), passed away. The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time.”
Downers Grove police were called to Casten’s home just before 7 a.m. yesterday and found a 17-year-old girl unresponsive. Cause of the death is under investigation.
Casten, who’s running for a third term in the 6th Congressional District, faces fellow Rep. Marie Newman and Nicor Gas operation mechanic Charles Hughes in the June 28 Democratic primary.
Ad pause: Casten and Newman’s campaigns have both pulled their TV ad spots.
Newman statement: “My heart breaks for the Casten family for the devastating loss of their daughter. My prayers are with Sean, Kara, and the entire Casten family.”
Gwen’s death hits close to home for Casten’s political team as she interned for his 2020 campaignand most recently appeared in an ad talking about turning 18 this year and voting for the first time.
Voting “not just for anyone,” Gwen said in the ad and ticking off Casten’s support of gun restrictions, abortion rights, and ethics reform. “Sean Casten. My Congressman. But I just call him Dad.”
After voting last week in favor of gun safety legislation, Casten talked about Gwen in a message to supporters.
“My teenage daughter, Gwen, organized a ‘stop-the-bleed’ training to learn how to pack a gunshot wound during a school shooting because, in America, our children have taken it upon themselves to do what we here in Congress have failed to do,” Casten said.
