MILWAUKEE (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Kleczka, a liberal Democrat who represented a Wisconsin district that included his hometown of Milwaukee for 20 years, has died. He was 73.
Kleczka died Sunday in the Madison area of natural causes, according to his nephew, Jeff Kleczka.
A factory worker's son, Kleczka represented Wisconsin's 4th District from 1984 to 2005. He retired from Congress and was succeeded by Democrat Gwen Moore.
Before winning a special election to the U.S. House in 1984, Kleczka served in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports he was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and later the House Budget Committee.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin says Kleczka's career "centered around tirelessly helping his constituents and community in Milwaukee."
Funeral arrangements are pending.