After the announcement of former Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond’s death on Tuesday, a large number of Missouri public officials from both sides of the aisle shared their condolences. Bond died in St. Louis early Tuesday,

As the town of Mexico mourns the death of former U.S. Sen. and Missouri Gov. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, many say they remember him not as a politician but simply as one of their own.

"Kit Bond was a skilled statesman, public servant, and a man who truly loved Missouri," Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe wrote.

He helped create the modern state GOP as governor and U.S. senator, sharply defending Republican ideals with wit. | Opinion