Members of the political world offered condolences and warm wishes for the family of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday afternoon. They honored Carter’s decades of achievement and service to the country.
Carter, who turned 100 earlier this year, died peacefully in Palins, Ga., according to the Carter Center.
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden released a statement, mourning Carter’s death and highlighting his lifetime of service as an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.”
“Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well,” the Biden’s statement said.
The Bidens said they will miss both Carter and his late wife Rosalynn Carter dearly but take solace knowing they are reunited. Rosalynn Carter died in Nov. 2023.
The Bidens shared gratitude with the Carter family and their staff.
“To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” their statement said. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
Biden said he will be ordering an official state funeral for Carter to be held in Washington, D.C.
President-elect Trump shared a message online to say he and his family were thinking of Carter’s family.
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump said.
The president-elect said Carter’s presidency and the challenges he faced in office came at a “pivotal time for our country.” Carter did everything in his power to improve the lives of Americans, Trump said.
“For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Trump posted.
Former President Clinton (D) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared a message online honoring Carter’s career as a state senator, governor of Georgia and the 39th president.
“Hillary and I met President Carter in 1975 and were proud, early supporters of his Presidential campaign,” Clinton said in a statement. “I will always be proud to have presented the Medal of Freedom to him and Rosalynn in 1999, and to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House.”
The Clintons said their prayers are with Carter’s family.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) released a statement honoring Carter’s legacy. Carter served as the Peach State’s governor from 1971 to 1974.
“As the only American president thus far to come from Georgia, he showed the world the impact of our state and its people have on the country,” Kemp said. “And as a son of Plains, he always valued Georgians and the virtues of our state, choosing to return to his rural home after his time in public office.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) also offered his condolences, calling Carter a “true servant-leader” who promoted the best of America.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement mourning the loss of “one of our most humble and devoted public servants.”
“President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion, and through integrity,” Schumer said.
Schumer highlighted the decades of service that Carter and Rosalynn Carter dedicated to the country. He said it will leave a strong legacy and inspired millions of people toward justice.
“As we remember President Carter’s extraordinary life, we also honor the countless lives he touched through his vision and generosity,” Schumer said, adding, “May his memory be a blessing and an enduring reminder of what it means to truly serve.”
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) said Carter was one of his heroes.
“His leadership was driven by love, his life’s project grounded in compassion and a commitment to human dignity,” Warnock said in a statement.
Warnock said he developed a meaningful relationship with Carter, calling the couple some of his “favorite people.” The Georgia Senator said Carter was a “moral powerhouse” and democracies around the world are better off because of his long career.
Fellow Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) extended condolences to Carter’s family in a statement online. He highlighted the former president’s accomplishments, both in office and out of office.
“From Plains to across the State of Georgia, the United States, and around the world, millions will forever admire and appreciate all that President Carter did for the United States and for the global community,” Ossoff said. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of President Jimmy Carter.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) shared a message about Carter’s character, commitment and infamous peanut crops.
“Jimmy Carter’s character and commitment, just like his crops, were fruits of all-American soil. After every season when life led him to lofty service far from home, he came back home again, determined to plow his unique experiences and influence into helping others; into building and teaching and volunteering; into further enriching the same rich soil that had made his own life possible,” McConnell shared, per Fox News’s Chad Pergram on X.
Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) said Carter served the country through distinction.
“From his service in the @USNavy, as Governor of Georgia and as the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter lived out his Christian faith and values with integrity and devotion,” Pence said.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the American people and Congress are thinking of the Carter family.
“President Carter’s story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation,” Johnson said in a statement. “Because of his work brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home.”
Johnson said no one can deny that Carter led an “extraordinary life” of service to the country.
