Sen. Dole to Announce Candidacy in Hometown

Senate Republican leader Bob Dole of Kansas, who has campaigned for months as an unofficial candidate for the 1988 GOP presidential nomination, returns to his birthplace today to formally announce his candidacy.

Dole, 64, is expected to stress his small-town roots and humble Midwestern upbringing when he launches his campaign just a stone’s throw from the drug store where he once worked as a soda jerk.

The ceremonies in Russell were scheduled to last about 90 minutes. Dole would then fly to Iowa and New Hampshire for similar announcements later in the day, his campaign staff said. He was to visit Georgia and North Carolina on Tuesday.