Former Sen. Bob Dole passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 98.
Dole’s passing was announced in a statement from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years. More information coming soon,” the statement said.
It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years. More information coming soon. #RememberingBobDole pic.twitter.com/57NtGfqtmL
— Elizabeth Dole Foundation (@DoleFoundation) December 5, 2021
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In February, Dole announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
STATEMENT BY SENATOR BOB DOLE ON HEALTH CHALLENGES pic.twitter.com/ndRxqNWb30
— Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) February 18, 2021
“While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own,” he said in a statement in February.
Dole represented Kansas in the Senate from 1969 to 1996, and served as the Senate majority leader from 1985 to 1987 and from 1995 to 1996.
He was the Republican nominee in the 1996 U.S. Presidential election, but lost to Bill Clinton.