Bob Kerrey
Joseph Robert Kerrey (born August 27, 1943) is an American politician who served as the 35th governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 1989 to 2001. Before entering politics, he served in the Vietnam War, as a United States Navy SEAL officer and was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat. During the action for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor, he was severely wounded, precluding further naval service.
Bob Kerrey | |
|---|---|
Kerrey in 2006 | |
| 7th President of The New School | |
| In office 2001–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Fanton |
| Succeeded by | David E. Van Zandt |
| United States Senator from Nebraska | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | David Karnes |
| Succeeded by | Ben Nelson |
| Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Leader | Tom Daschle |
| Preceded by | Bob Graham |
| Succeeded by | Robert Torricelli |
| 35th Governor of Nebraska | |
| In office January 6, 1983 – January 9, 1987 | |
| Lieutenant | Donald McGinley |
| Preceded by | Charles Thone |
| Succeeded by | Kay Orr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Robert Kerrey August 27, 1943 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 1978) Democratic (1978–present) |
| Spouses | Beverly Defnall
(m. 1974; div. 1978)Sarah Paley (m. 2001) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1966–1969 |
| Rank | Lieutenant (junior grade) |
| Unit | SEAL Team 1 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War (WIA) |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Kerrey was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992. He retired from the Senate in 2000 and was replaced by former governor and fellow Democrat Ben Nelson. From 2001 to 2010, he served as president of The New School, a university in New York City. In May 2010, he was selected to become the head of the Motion Picture Association of America. The MPAA, however, could not reach an agreement with him and chose former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd instead.
In 2012, Kerrey sought election to his old Senate seat to succeed his successor, the retiring Democratic incumbent Ben Nelson. He lost to Republican nominee Deb Fischer.
In 2013, Kerrey joined the Carmen Group lobbying firm.
Kerrey is a co-chair for the advisory board of Issue One, an organization that describes its mission as "fighting for real solutions to the problem of money in politics". In 1987, Kerrey was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.