Dole Announces Plans to Seek Fifth Senate Term

Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) made public his plans to seek a fifth term when he gave an unexpected “yes” in response to a reporter’s question at a news conference Friday.

The announcement, which came prior to the annual Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas dinner, was a surprise to supporters.

Dole, 68, said his decision had been delayed by his battle against prostate cancer over the past five months. He said he has been given a clean bill of health after surgery Dec. 18 and received permission from his doctor to come to Kansas to make “this little announcement.”

He said the only person who knew of his decision before the news conference was his wife, Elizabeth Hanford Dole, whom he called from the airport just before he left Washington on Friday.

Shortly after the news conference started, a reporter asked if he planned to seek another term. “Yes,” replied Dole. The crowd of about 75 Republicans in the room broke into loud applause.

In Washington, Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement: “This is great news for Republicans in the Senate and for America. Bob’s decision also will be a big morale booster for Republican candidates everywhere.”