Nancy Kassebaum Baker, who served four terms as a Republican U.S. Senator from Kansas and became one of the longest-serving women in Senate history, died Saturday at age 94.
The news was reported by ABC News on Saturday afternoon.
Kassebaum Baker was first elected to the Senate in 1978, defeating incumbent Senator Bill Roy. She went on to win re-election three times before retiring in 1997. During her tenure, she was known for her work on foreign relations and healthcare policy.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Republicans praised Kassebaum Baker as a trailblazer for women in Republican politics. Her election in 1978 came at a time when women were rare in the Senate GOP conference.
"Nancy Kassebaum Baker paved the way for so many of us," said former Kansas Republican Party Chair Mike Kuckelman. "She was independent-minded, she worked across the aisle when needed, and she never lost touch with Kansas voters."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats acknowledged Kassebaum Baker's longevity in office while noting areas of policy disagreement. Her willingness to occasionally break with her party on social issues drew recognition from observers across the political spectrum.
"She represented Kansas values over many years, and while we often disagreed on policy approaches, she was a fixture in American politics for nearly two decades," said one Democratic strategist familiar with Kansas politics who requested anonymity to speak candidly about a deceased colleague.
What the Numbers Show
Kassebaum Baker served in the Senate from January 1979 to January 1997, a tenure of exactly 18 years. She won her 1978 election by approximately 52 percent to 48 percent over Roy. Her re-election margins improved with each subsequent campaign.
She was one of only 25 women serving in the Senate during portions of her tenure and was the first woman elected to a full term as a U.S. Senator from Kansas, following a brief period when Frances Morton served briefly due to appointment.
The Bottom Line
Kassebaum Baker's death marks the passing of a figure who helped shape Republican politics in Kansas and expanded women's presence in the Senate. She leaves behind a legacy as one of the state's longest-serving federal legislators. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of publication time.