Former longtime Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, 98, dies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole died in his sleep early Sunday morning, according to a tweet by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. He was 98.
Dole, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996, previously announced he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep,” the tweet said. “At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years.”
During his time with Congress, he also held the role of Senate Majority Leader. He also ran unsuccessfully for President of the United States in 1996, losing to Bill Clinton.
According to the Associated Press, Dole also served as the committee chairman, majority leader and minority leader and ran for president three times.
In a statement, former President Barack Obama said Dole was “a war hero, a political leader, and a statesman — with a career and demeanor harkening back to a day when members of the Greatest Generation abided by a certain code, putting country over party.”
Dole also served in the U.S. Army. and was seriously injured during World War II. For his efforts in the military, Dole was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
