From the U.S. Senate to the Governor’s Mansion and throughout the state, reaction to the death of Gov. David Treen is one of sadness and awe.

Called the “Father of the Republican Party of Louisiana” by U. S. Senator David Vitter, state Sen. Jack Donahue, political columnist Jeff Crouere and other Republican leaders, he was credited with being a trailblazer, paving the way for the party for the first time since Reconstruction.

Crouere said, “He deserves the credit for the growth of the party in Louisiana.” Gov. Bobby Jindal has ordered flags at half-staff and said, “Louisiana has lost a visionary leader and a tireless advocate for our state with the passing of Gov. Dave Treen. Treen was a true statesman with a servant’s heart and his desire to improve our state was only surpassed by his kindness and humility. Our state will forever bear the mark of his decades of work and while he will be missed as a friend, a father, and a public servant, he will always live on in our history and most importantly, our hearts.”

Vitter said, ““Dave Treen was an enormously kind, decent human being. He was also a pioneer Republican — truly the father of the modern Louisiana Republican Party as our first Republican governor since Reconstruction. All Republicans serving in Louisiana today stand on his shoulders and benefit from his vision and leadership. Wendy and I certainly have his extended family in our heartfelt prayers.”

Wendy Vitter, wife of U. S. Sen. David Vitter, said her parents, Dick and Bea Baldwin, were close friends of the Treens when she was growing up. “Gov. Treen was always so nice and truly made a positive difference in the world — one of the most important things anyone can do is make a positive difference. He also had the nicest, best family in the world.”

U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise also said that Treen would be remembered “as one of the most decent and honorable men in the history of Louisiana politics. He laid the foundation for ethics reform, and set the standard for integrity in public service. It was a true honor to have known Dave Treen, and to call him a friend. This is a sad loss for the state, and Jennifer and I will keep his family in our prayers.”

Conservatives throughout the state said Treen’s honor and honesty paved the way for the Republican Party in the state.

“I know people will miss him. He was a real gentleman, a conservative and that’s a good thing. He always helped us whenever we needed it,” said Madisonville Mayor Peter Gitz.

Mandeville’s Interim Mayor Edward “Bubby” Lyons said he knew the former governor when he first ran for office and they were friends for many years. Lyons is a former mayor of Houma.

Mandeville Councilman Jerry Coogan said that Treen helped new political candidates by sharing his experiences with them and added that Treen will be sorely missed.

Republican Executive Committee of St. Tammany spokesman Peter Egan said, “This is a grave loss. He was a true statesman, a trailblazer and earned that title. He was Republican when it was not popular or pragmatic and was in fact, suicide for anyone with political ambitions. He was a different kind of lawmaker and politician in the state. He was a truly decent man and a humanitarian.”

Many remember his efforts on behalf of former Gov. Edwin Edwards to get his racketeering sentence reduced or pardoned. Crouere said, “I find it so remarkable that he was so forgiving and able to be friends with Edwards after having been fierce opponents for so long.”

Donahue remembers raising money to support Treen’s candidacy. “I was just out of college and my principles and beliefs were the same as his. I helped raise money and campaigned for him door to door.”

One resident remembers campaigning for Treen in the 1960s as a “Teen for Treen” when no one was a Republican and the general population felt it was “throwing your vote away” to register as a Republican.

Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere said, “It is important for younger voters to understand that Louisiana’s commitment to high ethical standards and the existence of a viable two-party system in our state are relatively new developments. Just a quarter century ago, neither existed in a significant way. Dave Treen laid the foundation to change all of that, and for that, millions of Louisiana citizens owe him a profound debt of gratitude. On behalf of the Republican Party of Louisiana, I want to express our appreciation for all that Dave Treen did to grow our party in Louisiana.”

Parish President Kevin Davis added that had been able to sit down with him several times over the past few years and will miss his wisdom.