Bob Dole, longtime GOP senator and 1996 presidential nominee, dies

Dole was President Richard Nixon’s choice to be the chairman of the Republican National Committee. He served from 1971 to 1973.

Henry Griffin / AP

Updated December 5, 2021 at 3:21 PM ET

Bob Dole, a longtime Senate Republican leader and the party’s presidential nominee in 1996, died Sunday at age 98.

Dole’s death was confirmed in a tweet by 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.”