Bob Dole Enters Politics

Due to the extensive injuries he suffered while fighting the Nazis in Italy, Bob Dole realized that he would not complete his boyhood dream of becoming a doctor. However, motivated by the strong emotional and finacial support given to him by the people of Russell, he set out to give back to those who helped him by studying law. He earned his law degree from Washburn Municipal University (Kansas) in 1952, in addition to his undergraduate degree from the same institution.

While still in law school, Dole's friend John Woelk, a former Navy pilot and Russell County Attorney, urged Dole to run for the state legislature as a Republican. Dole was elected as Russell's youngest legislator, and served from 1951 to 1953.

In June 1952, Dole announced his candidacy as Russell County Attorney and was elected to four terms, serving until 1960.

Having built a distinguished record as County Attorney, Dole decided to run for Congress.

With a campaign budget of less than
$20,000, and the campaign slogan "Roll with Dole," Bob Dole defeated Keith Seebelius and Phillip Doyle.

By a narrow margin of 1 ,000 votes, Dole was elected to the House of Representatives from Kansas' Sixth District.

In a good-natured play on Dole's last name, Sebelius explained his loss in this manner: "It was quite simple. You drowned me in pineapple juice."

Upon arrival in the nation's capital, Dole was instantly recognized as a leader by his fellow newly elected Members of Congress, and they elected him President of the Freshman class of 1960.

Dole was re-elected to the House of Representatives in 1962, 1964 and 1966.

In 1968, Frank Carlson, the Senator from Kansas for more than 40 years decided to step down.

Bob Dole seized the opportunity and jumped into the race for the Senate. Dole won the Republican primary and won the general election in November of 1968 to become the junior Senator for Kansas in November 1968. He was re-elected in 1974, 1980, 1988 and 1992.

The Bob Dole Story:

Part 1: Growing up in Russell	Part 2: World War II
Part 3: Entering Politics	Part 4: Dole the GOP Leader
Part 5: The Run for the Presidency	Part 6: Current Projects
Presidential Medal of Freedom Citation	Other Biographies on the Web

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