Republicans mourned the loss of conservative media activist Andrew Breitbart, whose sudden death was announced by his online news site Thursday morning.
GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum called the news “shocking” and “a huge loss for the conservative movement.”
“What a powerful force,” he said of Breitbart, speaking to reporters on the campaign trail Thursday.
Mitt Romney called him a “brilliant entrepreneur, fearless conservative, loving husband and father.”
Newt Gingrich called him a pioneer in a tweet, writing "Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative
activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity."
Herman Cain tweeted that he admired Breitbart’s “fighting spirit.”
Texas Gov. Rick Perry called him a “mighty warrior” in a tweet.
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said Breitbart was “a man of conviction.”
House Republicans, including Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), also tweeted their responses as news of Breitbart’s death spread on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) eulogized him as a “true media innovator” who “broke barriers, shattering egos and myths.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) tweeted that Breitbart was an “American patriot.”
Many Republicans in Congress sent thoughts and prayers to the Breitbart family on Thursday morning. Breitbart leaves behind a wife and four children.
