State Rep. Don Manning was going to run for re-election to a second term against Democrat Chris Stanley of Canfield, a Youngstown city schoolteacher and author, but the Mahoning County Republican Party now will name a replacement for Manning on the November ballot after he died late Friday of an apparent heart attack.

The sudden death of Manning, 54, R-New Middletown, was announced Saturday by state Speaker of the House Larry Householder. The two had become close friends and political allies during Manning’s 14-plus months in the state Legislature.

In the statement to fellow House members, Householder wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I regret to inform you that one of our fellow members has passed away. Rep. Don Manning was a good friend and a good legislator. Don loved the Mahoning Valley and his work in the Legislature.”

Householder said he had few details of the death of Manning except he was experiencing chest pains Friday afternoon, was taken to a local hospital and died there later that day.

He also said he’d provide details regarding services when they become available.

A conservative, Manning served as a New Middletown village councilman before winning the 2018 election for the Ohio House’s 59th District seat.

Before that, Manning had run for office numerous times — including U.S. Congress, Trumbull County commissioner, Mahoning County commissioner and for the state House — before he defeated Poland Township Trustee Eric Ungaro in the November 2018 election by 375 votes. In the 2016 election for the same seat, he lost by 10,593 votes to then-state Rep. John Boccieri, D-Poland.

The district takes in most of Mahoning County with Boardman, Canfield, Poland and Sebring among the largest communities in it.

With the victory in 2018, Manning became the first Republican member of the Ohio House from Mahoning County in several decades.

State Sen. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, also won in 2018 and said he and Manning became very close.

“We were really close; he was a good friend,” said Rulli, who saw Manning on Friday before he died. “I didn’t sleep last night. I just can’t believe he’s dead. I’m absolutely shocked.”

Manning’s first political campaign was in 1978 as a kid volunteering for Lyle Williams, a Republican who was elected that year to Congress representing the Mahoning Valley.

Gov. Mike DeWine said: “Fran (his wife) and I are saddened to hear of the death of state Rep. Don Manning. Don was a tireless advocate for advancing issues important to the Mahoning Valley while in Columbus, including advocacy on behalf of Lordstown workers and economic development in the area.”

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said: “Tina (his wife) and I were sad to learn this morning that Rep. Don Manning passed away. Don was a great advocate for the Mahoning Valley. He spent his life serving others in the Navy, as a corrections official, and in the Statehouse. Our hearts go out to his family, especially his young children.”

Before being elected to the state House, Manning worked in the criminal justice system as a truancy officer, detention officer, probation officer and case manager, where he worked with juvenile offenders, sex offenders and those with mental health, behavior health and addiction issues.

He also worked as a quality and compliance analyst for Youth Intensive Services in Austintown. His job included investigating fraud, waste and abuse, as well as conducting internal investigations, audits and company training.

In December 2019, a bill sponsored by Manning to create the Ohio Children’s Behavioral Network was signed into law by DeWine.

The network will bring together a group of experts to develop evidence and outcome-based solutions to improve the mental health of children and young adults, and reduce suicides.

DeWine said: “It was my privilege in December to sign his first bill.”

Manning’s colleagues were saddened to hear of his death.

“It was with shock and sadness that I learned Saturday morning of the passing of Representative Don Manning,” said Mark Munroe, retired Mahoning County GOP chairman. “Don had a long held interest in public service, and I had the chance to watch as he tried and tried again to win election in a strong Democrat area.

“His perseverance paid off in 2018 with election to the Statehouse, and he quickly made a name for himself as a tireless advocate for the Valley. Ohio and the Valley are better for his service, and he will be missed.”