Bob Dole: Former Republican Senator and war veteran dies aged 98

Bob Dole dies aged 98
Getty Images
Elly Blake5 December 2021

Former Republican senator Bob Dole has died at the age of 98.

The US politician from Kansas, who was his party’s unsuccessful 1996 presidential nominee, announced in February that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and would begin treatment.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning,” the Elizabeth Dole Foundation said in a statement on Twitter.

“He had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years.”

He ran for President three times and was the Republican Party’s nominee in 1996, but lost to Democratic incumbent Bill Clinton.

Mr Dole was his party’s vice presidential nominee in 1976 with incumbent President Gerald Ford, but they lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter and his running mate Walter Mondale.

Bob Dole dies aged 98
Bob Dole ran for the US presidency three times
AFP via Getty Images

He represented Kansas in Congress for 35 years: 1961 to 1969 in the House of Representatives, and 1969 to 1996 in the Senate.

Mr Dole is survived by his wife, former Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, and daughter Robin Dole. 

Tributes have flooded in for Mr Dole, with former Vice President Mike Pence describing him as a “truly great man who lived an extraordinary life of service to America”.

He continued: “He will be deeply missed by all of us who had the privilege to know him”.

Former US President Barack Obama said: “Senator Bob 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.”

Meghan McCain, daughter of the late John McCain, wrote: “Very sad to hear of Bob Doles passing. He was a true statesman who fought for our country honorably and personified all that is the greatest generation.

“Prayers to his family and loved ones. America keeps losing icons,” Ms McCain added.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has ordered the flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-mast in his honour, according to her spokesman.

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