Political figures across the board reacted with sadness to the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scalia was admired by many for his work in the Supreme Court and called brilliant and dedicated across the political field.
Former President George W. Bush called Scalia a “brilliant jurist” and an “important American.”
“He was a towering figure and important judge on our nation’s highest court. He brought intellect, good judgment, and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country,” Bush said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott remembered Scalia as a “man of God” and a “patriot.”
"He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans,” said Abbott in a statement.
Texas Senator John Cornyn called Scalia "brilliant" and "principled".
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"The author of some of the most consequential and best-written Supreme Court opinions, Justice Scalia will be remembered as a giant of American jurisprudence," Cornyn said in a statment.
Former Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson also remembered Scalia. [[368737081,C]]
"America today lost one of the finest jurists our country has known in my lifetime, a powerful voice for liberty and a passionate defender of the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the Constitution. His passing is a deep loss for our nation,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Congressman Mike Conaway released a statement saying, "Justice Scalia was a deeply respected scholar and a man of incredible integrity. Throughout his hearly three decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Scalia proved himself a fierce defender of the Constitution."
U.S. Representative Joe Barton admired Scalia's "common sense conservatice voice."
"He will be sorely missed, and certainly remembered as one of the most influential Supreme Court Justices," said Barton.
The 2016 presidential candidates also voiced their admiration for Scalia.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz called Justice Scalia an “American hero. [[368737151, C]]
“While I differed with Justice Scalia’s views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing,” Bernie Sanders said in a statement.
“His career was defined by his reverence for the Constitution and his legacy of protecting Americans’ most cherished freedoms,” Trump said. [[368737541,C]]
“His death is a serious loss to our nation and the court. He was an essential principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow,” John Kaisch said.
Chief Supreme Court Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. offered his condolences and mourns the death of his colleague.
“He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served,” Roberts said.
