ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA – A Republican candidate for Allegheny County Council in tomorrow’s election, has died suddenly after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Joe Wise, 56-years-old, had received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and then fell ill, according to his 17-year-old son Christian. He died on Saturday, October 30th.

Christian said:

“He got sick literally the day after he got [the vaccine], and it really was just a string of bad luck. He was a phenomenal public servant, he put people above himself all the time. He was really someone to look up to.”

Mr. Wise was running for the council seat in District 1, which covers communities in the North Hills and along the Ohio River.

Sam DeMarco, chair of the Republican Committee, was shocked upon hearing of Mr. Wise’s sudden death:

“I am absolutely shocked by the news of the death of Joe Wise. I will miss his wonderful sense of humor and his drive to make his community a better place for everyone. On behalf of the entire RCAC family, I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Mary Jo and Christian.”

Prior to his run for council, he had worked in senior leadership roles for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

No cause of death has been released yet.