WASHINGTON, D.C. — West Virginia elected officials were quick to react Saturday evening to the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scalia, 79, died of natural causes in Texas. The conservative was the longest serving justice on the current Supreme Court. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and took his seat on the court in September 1986.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito tweeted:
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, an ardent defender of the constitution. I offer my deepest condolences to Justice Scalia’s family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed.”
“Very sad day. Justice Scalia was a legal visionary and bedrock of the Supreme Ct. US mourns the loss of this defender of the rule of law,” West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey tweeted.
In a statement released Saturday evening Morrisey added:
“Scalia’s death marks a disheartening day for our nation. I join countless West Virginians and Americans in offering prayers and condolences for Scalia’s wife and family. May God comfort each and every loved one he leaves behind.”
“Scalia was a great American & a true defender of our constitution. My prayers are w his family during this sad time,” was the tweet from West Virginia Second District Congressman Alex Mooney.
Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins echoed Mooney’s comments in a Saturday evening tweet.
Justice Scalia was a staunch defender of the Constitution and our nation’s principles. My sympathies to his family & friends.”
News of the death was just minutes old when speculation turned to whom President Barack Obama might nominate, with many saying he shouldn’t bother in his last year in office.
“This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President,” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.