Rep. Nancy Chizmar dies at age 65

LEWISTON – State Rep. Nancy Chizmar of Lisbon, a four-term House member who was running for a Senate seat, died Tuesday at a Lewiston hospital.

Chizmar, who was 65, was surrounded by family members when she died at Central Maine Medical Center. She is survived by her husband, Paul Chizmar, three daughters and a son, the Crosman Funeral Home in Lisbon Falls said.

The family did not release information on the cause of death, a funeral home spokesman said.

Chizmar, who served on the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee, had reached her four-term limit in the House of Representatives and was the Democratic candidate for the state Senate District 20 seat.

The party’s Androscoggin and Kennebec county committees will be authorized to select a new Senate candidate. Republican candidate Kenneth Blais of Litchfield is unopposed in his party’s June 11 primary.

The District 20 seat is now occupied by Democratic three-term Sen. John Nutting of Leeds, who is entering a crowded primary for the 2nd District congressional seat.

Visiting hours for Chizmar will be Thursday at the Crosman Funeral Home and a funeral will be held Friday at Holy Trinity Church, also in Lisbon Falls.