Former Vice President Dick Cheney participates in the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas in 2013.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney participates in the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas in 2013.

David J. Phillip/AP

When a former vice president passes away, it’s pro-forma for policians of that party to issue a statement of condolence recounting that politician’s achievements.

But after news of former vice president Dick Cheney’s death Tuesday, Texas Republicans in Congress largely stayed silent, mirroring the response of  President Donald Trump, whom Cheney famously derided as a “threat to our republic.”

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READ MORE: Dick Cheney had deep Texas ties after half-century influencing Republican politics and oil industry

Cheney had connections to Texas. He served under George W. Bush, the first Texan since Lyndon B. Johnson to win the White House, and was the CEO of Texas oil field services giant Haliburton before agreeing to join Bush’s campaign in 2000.

Some Texas Republicans said they hadn’t personally known the 84-year-old Cheney, who had not served in public office since 2009. But others had, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing a competitive primary challenge in March.

In 2009, as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Cornyn praised Cheney as a thoughtful critic of then president Barack Obama.

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“I’d be proud to appear with the vice president anywhere, anytime,” he said.

But this week, his office declined to comment on the senator’s public silence about Cheney’s death.

The Republican party has largely distanced itself from the policies of the George W. Bush presidency, opting instead for Trump’s economic populism and isolationism.

Trump’s decision not to comment on the death likely prompted other Republicans to do the same, said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.

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“Given the risk-adverse nature of Republicans regarding anything that could incite the ire of Donald Trump, the best strategy is to say nothing,” he said. “The Bush era is regarded negatively by most Texas primary voters.”

When George P. Bush, the nephew of the former president, ran unsuccessfully against Ken Paxton for state attorney general last year, his family ties were an obstacle to connecting with GOP voters. A Fox Business host once questioned him in an interview on how he would promote border security considering the Bush family represents “the moderate wing of the Republican party.”

There were plenty of remembrances for Cheney from veteran Republicans like George W. Bush and former Secretary of State James Baker III, as well as some active office holders. 

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington of Lubbock recounted how he’d gotten to know Cheney as a young White House staffer under George W. Bush, recalling, “while he was reserved and spoke sparingly, the few words he offered were usually the most insightful ones in the room.”

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Likewise, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz praised Cheney as “a public servant who made a real difference.” And outgoing U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul called the former vice president ” a dedicated public servant who always led with strength and conviction.”

But otherwise, GOP members of Congress representing Texas were quiet, including U.S. Reps. Wesley Hunt and Dan Crenshaw, of Houston, Randy Weber of Friendswood and Chip Roy of Austin.

Those members’ offices either declined or did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

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