RIP: Ex-GOP Senator Jim Jeffords has passed away

Former U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords has passed away. He was 80 years old.

BREAKING: Former Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords dies at age 80, @bfp_news Free Press confirms #vtpoli –@asoga

— NTA by Mic (@NavigatingTrump) August 18, 2014

Jim Jeffords has died. Sad. http://t.co/mk5kgGubbC #vt #politics

— Matt Jennings (@mvjennings) August 18, 2014

In 2001, Jeffords left the GOP and became an Independent, shifting the balance of power in the Senate to the Democrats. He retired in 2006, reportedly in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

R.I.P. Sen. Jim Jeffords

— Bosco (@wboscoho) August 18, 2014

R.I.P. former Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont. A good man..

— Leah Boule' (@AlbaLondubh) August 18, 2014

Former Vt. Sen. Jim Jeffords has passed away. Sen. Leahy: “He was…drawn to political life to make a difference for our state & nation."

— Gillian Roberts (@gkroberts) August 18, 2014

https://twitter.com/KimDedam/status/501386043447603200

I knew him as my Uncle Jim. Sad day for VT & family. “@vprnet: Jim Jeffords, former #VT U.S. senator, dies at 80. http://t.co/2w533ZB58g”

— Milton Busker Stays Home, yo (@MiltonBusker) August 18, 2014

Thoughts and prayers to his family.