Former Massachusetts Republican Congressman Edward Brooke died Saturday at the age of 95 . Sen. Tim Scott , of South Carolina , the only black Republican serving in the Senate , said he was `` deeply saddened '' by the news Saturday , on his Twitter account . He was the first black Republican ever elected to Congress since Reconstruction . Leaders from both parties -- including the governor -- honor his death and praise his work in the legislative process .
Former Massachusetts Republican Congressman Edward Brooke died Saturday at the age of 95 . He was the first black Republican ever elected to Congress since Reconstruction . Leaders from both parties -- including the governor -- honor his death and praise his work in the legislative process .