scalia died in his sleep on february 13, 2016 at a ranch in shafter, texas at the age of 79. his death left a split in the court with 4 conservatives and 4 liberals. president barack obama said he would choose scalia's successor in "due time". president obama, former governor of texas rick perry, governor of ohio john kasich, former presidents george h. w. bush, bill clinton and george w. bush, senators ted cruz, marco rubio, and bernie sanders, and vice president joe biden all reacted to his death.