Norman Zeidler, 47, who lived in Petersburg and was married to Clooney's daughter, Ada, suffered a heart attack and died early Monday, according to a statement from the Clooney campaign.

Clooney suspended his campaign schedule to spend time with his family. Zeidler, a retired U.S. Army captain, also s survived by the couple's two children, Allison, 13, and Nick, 8. They are the only grandchildren of Clooney and his wife, Nina.

The couple's other son, actor George Clooney, is not married and has no children.

Clooney is running in Northern Kentucky's 4th Congressional District against Republican Geoff Davis. Two campaign debates scheduled for this week have been postponed so Clooney can be with his family.

The candidates were scheduled to debate live Monday night in Lexington on KET public television, which is broadcast across the state. That debate has been moved to 9 p.m. next Monday, said Deidre Clark, a KET producer.

A second debate, Wednesday night at Northern Kentucky University, has been postponed, according to Legacy, a young professionals group that was sponsoring the event.

Clooney was huddled Monday with family in his hometown of Augusta. He was not available for comment, said B.J. Neidhardt, his campaign manager.

"We are taking our cues from Nick, giving him time to be with his family," said Bob Doyle, Clooney's Washington-based political adviser. "Te Davis campaign offered its "deepest condolences" to Clooney and his family, campaign manager Justin Brasell said Monday.

Clooney and Davis are running for a seat held by U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat not seeking re-election. Lucas said he and his wife, Mary, "extend our prayers and sincerest sympathies to the Clooney family."

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com