James Traficant, the former Ohio Congressman, died on Saturday following a tractor accident earlier in the week. He was 73.

James Traficant Dies

Traficant had been on his family’s farm near Youngstown, Ohio, when a vintage tractor flipped over on him. He passed away from complications stemming from the accident at a hospital in Youngstown, Dave Betras, chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, told the New York Daily News.

"Mr. Traficant was a complex man," Betras said. "He gave voice to the frustrations and anxieties of the common man. The public felt he was one of them and because of that connection, they supported him in good times and in bad. He was a larger than life character who will long be remembered."

Traficant was elected to Congress in 1984 after working as a drug counselor for 10 years and serving as the Mahoning County sheriff. Traficant was reelected to Congress a total of eight times, but was expelled in 2002, three months after he was convicted on bribery and fraud charges by a federal jury. Following his conviction, Traficant spent several years behind bars, emerging to race in the 2010 congressional race. After the loss, Traficant has remained a quiet presence in retirement.

Traficant is survived by his wife Patricia Choppa Traficant.