Former Kansas City senator and Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole has died at the age of 98. He was born in Russell, Kansas on July 22nd, 1923. A family statement said he passed away early yesterday morning in his sleep. Dole had been in declining health for a number of years, revealing he had stage four lung cancer.
Dole resigned from the Senate back in 1996 to make a run for President. He lost to Bill Clinton who was elected to a second term in the White House. A year later, however, Dole visited the White House where he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the highest U.S. civilian award.
Dole won a seat in the Senate back in 1968 and three years later became chairman of the Republican National Committee. He served as Senate Majority Leader starting in 1984. In 1976 he was chosen by President Gerald Ford to be his vice-presidential running mate, but the team lost the election to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
To hear more about Bob Dole check out our interview with ABC's Steve Roberts...