By 1960 Bob Dole had his sights on a much bigger political stage. After his one term in the Kansas Legislature and five terms as Russell County attorney, there was a shake-up in the western Kansas political landscape starting in 1954. Dole saw his opening.
There was a bitter three-way fight for the Republican nomination for Congress from western Kansas that year. In the race with Dole was Keith Sebelius, future father-in-law of Kathleen, who would be elected the Democratic governor of Kansas in 2002 and someone who felt he was the heir-apparent.
He would finally win the seat eight years later.
Here’s how the Salina Journal described the last debate in its July 31st edition, just three days before the primary: “All played a game of catch with hot bricks as they strived for the electorate’s love, prejudice and votes in Tuesday’s primary.”
Purple prose? Sure. But accurate. Someone started a rumor that Doyle was dropping out before the primary. Sebelius claimed Dole was in the pocket of big oil. Dole called the charges a sham. In the end, Dole squeaked by Sibelius by 982 votes.
In the general, Dole breezed by his Democratic opponent with 60 percent of the vote. Dole entered the House in 1961 with guns blazing.