City Schools Lobbyist Tolbert Dies While Assisting Obama

The Department of Education's chief lobbyist died Nov. 2 of a heart attack in North Las Vegas, where he was working as Nevada state director for the Barack Obama presidential campaign.

TERENCE TOLBERT

Terence D. Tolbert, who was 44, was the Executive Director of InterGovernmental Relations for the city, working closely with Mayor Bloomberg and lobbying in Washington and Albany on behalf of the Department of Education. He died while driving alone, near the Obama campaign offices.

'Likable and Hardworking'

In a statement, the Mayor said that Mr. Tolbert "was a valued member of our administration and had become a personal friend of mine." He described Mr. Tolbert as "not only somebody who was one of the most likable people in the world, he was one of the most hardworking people in the world. He had great judgment and a great feel for people."

In another statement, Mr. Klein called Mr. Tolbert "a leader, mentor, and friend to people throughout our department and this entire city," saying that, "working for the city's children here, in Albany, and in Washington, D.C. ... he was a source of inspiration, a person who fought hard for others who were less fortunate and a person who believed deeply that government can and must play a constructive role in improving the lives of its citizens."

Before working for the Obama campaign since August, Mr. Tolbert had also served as the New York State director for the John Edwards presidential campaign from 2003-2004 and worked in Nevada as the state director of America Coming Together, a Democratic advocacy group. He worked on Mr. Bloomberg's re-election campaign in 2005 and in the campaigns of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

'Won't Forget Him'

Mr. Tolbert was expected to be a player in the fight over renewal of mayoral control of schools, with the law due to expire next June. Mr. Bloomberg said, "One of the nice things about Nov. 4 was going to be that Terence would come back to us. Now, sadly, he is never going to come back — but we will never forget him."

Mr. Obama also released a statement of condolence Nov. 3 after contacting Mr. Tolbert's widow, Freida Foster-Tolbert. "I was shocked and saddened to learn about the passing of our Nevada state director," he said. "Terence was a strong force in this campaign, with a positive outlook that brought people together ... his enthusiasm, talent, and warm heart will truly be missed."

Mr. Tolbert is survived by his wife and his mother, Carolyn.