‘A true American’: Kentucky officials react to death of former President Jimmy Carter
Moments after news broke that the 39th President of the United States passed away Sunday, Kentucky politicians were quick to offer their condolences for the Democrat.
Jimmy Carter, the longest living former president, whose term was marred by the Iran hostage crisis and rampant inflation but went on to build a humanitarian legacy that was recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize, died Sunday.
He was 100. No cause was announced. In February 2023 he entered hospice care.
United States Senator Mitch McConnell said Carter “truly lived the American Dream.”
A peanut farmer from a small town in Georgia, McConnell said Carter’s character and commitment, just like his crops, “were fruits of all-American soil.”
“As Jimmy Carter is reunited with his beloved Rosalynn, our thoughts and prayers are with their children, Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the millions of Americans whose lives were touched by his service,” McConnell said in an emailed statement. “We join them in mourning, but also in celebrating that Jimmy Carter is now reaping an eternal harvest in Heaven.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also called Carter a “true American.”
“He lived through his faith and values each and every day, lifting up his neighbors and serving our great country through kindness and compassion. Let us all learn from him and honor his memory by leading with love,” Beshear posted on X.
Michael Adams, Kentucky’s secretary of state, said he was once former President Ronald Reagan’s biggest advocate.
Since the age of four, Adams said he has come to admire Carter — who lived out his faith in the political arena and afterward “to an extent that too few self-proclaimed Christians do.”
Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr said Carter’s legacy will long be remembered.
“President Jimmy Carter was a man of service, humility, and dedication to others,” Barr said on X. “His impact on our nation and the world will not be forgotten.”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Carter was an extraordinary leader with an impact outside of his presidency.
“President Jimmy Carter was an extraordinary leader whose life was defined by compassion, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to serving others,” Greenberg said on X. “His impact extended far beyond his presidency, touching countless lives through his humanitarian efforts.”
Former Kentucky Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron said Carter lived a full life and left behind a lasting legacy.
“President Carter was a man of integrity and lived a full life of dedicated service to our country,” Cameron said on X. “The legacy he leaves will inspire future generations of Americans to pursue a cause greater than self.”
Carter visited Kentucky several times throughout his life, including a meeting with former Gov. Julian Carroll in 1975, a fundraiser at the Galt House Hotel in 1976, and a speech outside the Cane Run Generating Facility in 1979.
He also attended a fundraising dinner for Habitat Humanity at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville in 1997.
This story was originally published December 29, 2024 at 5:44 PM.
