Maine’s political leaders are all speaking out with respect and condolences in response to news over the weekend of the death of former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter, 100, died in Plains, Georgia, more than a year after entering hospice care, according to an announcement from his office on Sunday.

Responses came swiftly from leaders such as Gov. Janet Mills.

“He was the moral conscience of a nation whose words and deeds demonstrated that the human capacity for kindness and goodness is limitless,” Mills said in a statement. “America has lost a true model of servant leadership. On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend my deepest sympathies to the Carter family.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) called Carter “a peacemaker and a humanitarian,” and said the former president left behind a notable legacy.

“As president, governor, and a Navy officer, Jimmy Carter served our country with distinction and integrity,” Collins wrote. “President Carter always remained grounded in his ideals, true to his roots, and guided by his deep faith.”

Then-Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter, left, received two Maine lobsters from Captain Bruce Robertson-Dick, right, harbormaster of Ogunquit, in Biddeford, Maine, Oct. 1, 1976. The presentation was made outside St. Joseph's Church where Carter had just addressed a rally. The Democratic nominee took the lobsters with him as his campaign left the state. (AP Photo)

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-01) said Carter embodied leadership while in office.

“Whether he was putting solar panels on the White House before many understood their full potential or giving up his humble peanut farm to prevent even a hint of impropriety as president, Jimmy Carter demonstrated how the nation’s top executive can lead by example,” she said.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) praised Carter’s placing service above partisan politics.

“Jimmy Carter’s extraordinary life story epitomized the American Dream and proved that any one of us can go from humble beginnings to President of the United States and human rights champion for the world,” King said. “Now that’s a legacy to be proud of.”

Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake spoke of Carter’s career of service both in and out of the Oval Office.

“His remarkable legacy includes his support of civil rights as the governor of Georgia, the creation of the U.S. Departments of Energy & Education during his presidency, and his work to support democracy, disaster relief, and disease prevention after leaving office,” she said. 

On Monday, President Joe Biden ordered flags nationwide be lowered to half-staff in Carter’s honor. In response, Mills directed flags lowered to half-staff statewide for the next 30 days.