State Sen. Jim Whelan of New Jersey’s 2nd Legislative District has died. He was 68 years old.

The senator was battling kidney cancer.

Whelan posted on his Facebook page on July 31 that he had undergone surgery to remove cancerous cells from his kidneys. He also stated that he had to be re-admitted to the hospital for complications from blood thinners that he was prescribed. It was not immediately known if that surgery had anything to do with his death.

Sen. Whelan represented Atlantic City in the state Legislature. Gov. Chris Christie recently signed some bills in which the senator had a part, including a bill that helped local small business owners and fishers in the Atlantic City area.

Gov. Christie released a statement following the senator’s death that said in part, “I came to know Jim as a forthright and honest leader whose word was his bond. While we did not always agree on policy, he was always willing to listen and reason together.”

Christie also said that Atlantic City’s comeback is “due in no small part to the efforts and passion of Jim Whelan.”

Sen. Whelan was 68 years old.