San Mateo County Republicans Mourn Loss of Andrew Breitbart

The San Mateo County Republican Party has released a statement following the sudden death of conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart, who passed away early Thursday morning. He was 43.

Breitbart was known among other things for posting the story of the sexually explicit tweets of Rep. Anthony Weiner as well as uncovering the ACORN scandal he exposed through undercover videos.

He also played an early role in creating the Huffington Post, and worked closely with the Drudge Report for years.

"The San Mateo County Republican Party mourns the loss of Conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart," spokeswoman Lucy Calder said in a statement.

"Andrew was a leader in the 'citizen journalism movement,' creating grassroots change through the use of social media.

"Andrew uncovered 'the systemic fraud and corruption of ACORN' . . .  'and hypocrisy of Congressmen, Senators and senior Administration officials,' according to the California Young Republican Party, and leaves a 'legacy of accountable government through journalism.'

"He was revered and respected as a champion of freedom, individual rights and the truth. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

A post on his website Big Journalism stated: "Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love … Andrew is at rest, yet the happy warrior lives on, in each of us."

Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, released this statement on Thursday:

"I was asked many times this morning for my thoughts on what Andrew meant to the political world, but all I can think of at the moment is what Andrew meant to me as a friend, starting from when we worked together -- his passion, his exuberance, his fearlessness. And above all, what I'm thinking of at the moment is his amazing wife Susie and their four beautiful young children. My love and thoughts are with them right now."

It's been widely reported that Breitbart died from natural causes while taking a walk near his family's home in Southern California.

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