Funeral today for former Congressman John Adler

Update: A service for Adler will be held today in Cherry Hill, Fox29 reports. Gov. Chris Christie is expected to attend the funeral at Temple Emmanuel.

Original report: Former U.S. Rep. John Adler has died. Adler represented the 3rd District in New Jersey for one term until he was defeated in November by Republican Rep. Jon Runyan.

“We lost a great person today.  John Adler was a remarkable statesman, a dear colleague and a good friend,” Senate President Stephen Sweeney said in a statement released this afternoon. “His commitment to public service and for doing what he believed was right is a testament to the kind of person he was.”

Adler died of complications of a bacterial infection. He underwent heart surgery last month after contracting staph bacterial endocarditis.

Assembly Speaker Shelia Y. Oliver called Adler’s passing a “tragic loss,” saying, “His legacy of intelligent and classy leadership will not be forgotten. Every time we breath clean air at a restaurant, for instance, we can thank John Adler.” The New Jersey Sierra Club called Adler and “environmental hero” for his support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which created clean energy legislation.