John Lewis

     Not for the first time, nor the last, political enemies are confronted with what to say when their enemy dies.
     Some of the same people who opposed John Lewis' most important issue---voting rights---are expressing their sorrow on his death. Weakest of all may have been the president, whom Lewis did not consider a legitimate elected official.

“Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing, Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family.” (Fewer than two-dozen words.)

Kay Ivey:  "Our country has lost one of its most beloved Civil Rights leaders. I join my fellow Alabamians and the nation in mourning the death of Rep. John Lewis. He dedicated his life to serving his community and advocating for others. We’ll forever remember his heroism and his enduring legacy."

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill: 
He once said, ‘If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” And those words still ring true today.
During our many visits together, he always left me wanting to do more to ensure that every person, regardless of race, religion, gender, or status, had the opportunity to vote in free and fair elections! These conversations are forever ingrained in my memory. I will always cherish his friendship and the example he set for me and everyone that is interested in leaving our community, state, nation, and world better than we found it!

NOTE: Merrill adamantly opposes automatic voter registration, which he said "cheapens the work of civil rights heroes". For decades, Lewis championed allowing people to be automatically registered to vote at various times, as when they renew a driver's license, for example.

Martha Roby:  "John Lewis was truly a great American hero, who dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of equal justice for all. His legacy will live on forever, our world is certainly better because of his courage. He has been an inspiration to countless individuals & will be missed by all."

 Alabama GOP Chair Terry Lathan:  I had the honor of meeting Rep. Lewis at the 50th Anniversary of Selma to Montgomery March. We shared that while we differed in parties, as Americans we stood together as brother and sister recognizing that our freedoms are colorblind. No one has control of the color of their skin, but we all have control of our actions. His actions without violence are etched in history as role modeling equality through peace.

Jeff Sessions:
"Alabama has lost one of its greatest native sons with the passing of Congressman John Lewis. His courage and relentless efforts were selfless and engendered respect, and even awe, in so many. He was truly exceptional.
As one of the youngest civil rights leaders, he was relentless in advancing his vision for a nation of equality and law. For this, he was beaten and jailed many times. Importantly, he never abandoned his nonviolent principles. In so doing, this great man helped change an entire culture for the better and advanced reconciliation among our races to a degree that has occurred in few other countries. He lived by the belief that justice and truth, steadfastly advanced, overcomes.
God rewarded his efforts, and this nation has benefited to a monumental degree. Let us all pause to remember his life and think how this one man, empowered in the spirit, has blessed us all."

 
Tommy Tuberville:
"Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights icon who understood the power of peaceful protest to bring about social change. He dedicated his life toward working to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of a colorblind society that allows each person to excel as far as their God-given talents can take them. He served his nation, his district, and humankind well.
Godspeed, Congressman Lewis."

GOP Rep Bradley Byre:
John Lewis, a son of Alabama, became the conscience of America. He was a good friend who never failed to inspire, and I miss him already.

So far as I could find, only crickets from:

GOP Senator Richard Shelby

GOP 2nd Congressional District Candidate Barry Moore (which includes Troy, Lewis' birthplace)

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder had a great phrase for these statements of sympathy from political enemies:

"This is all little more than performance mourning....You simply cannot honor the man or his life’s work if you’re an opponent of voting rights for all."