Former Republican Senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole died Sunday, December 5, according to a statement released by his family.

"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," the statement said.

Dole was first elected to Congress in 1960, serving in the US House of Representatives until 1969. He then moved to the Senate, where he represented Kansas for nearly three decades.

Dole ran for president three times in his career. On his third try, he won the Republican nomination but lost the 1996 election to Bill Clinton.

Dole also was the GOP's vice presidential candidate in 1976, but he and Gerald Ford lost to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.

Dole stands in front of a 1936 Chevrolet in his hometown of Russell, Kansas. Dole studied at the University of Kansas and played for the school's basketball, football and track teams before World War II broke out.
Dole stands in front of a 1936 Chevrolet in his hometown of Russell, Kansas. Dole studied at the University of Kansas and played for the school's basketball, football and track teams before World War II broke out.
AP
Dole enlisted in the US Army during World War II.
Dole enlisted in the US Army during World War II.
Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma/Getty Images
Dole was seriously wounded during a battle in Italy in 1945. He spent the following three years recovering from injuries that left his right arm permanently disabled and his left arm minimally functional.
Dole was seriously wounded during a battle in Italy in 1945. He spent the following three years recovering from injuries that left his right arm permanently disabled and his left arm minimally functional.
US Army/AP
Dole is seen between fellow US Reps. Charles A. Halleck and Charles B. Hoeven in 1962. After the war, Dole went into politics. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives before becoming Russell County prosecutor in 1953. In 1960, Dole was elected to the US House of Representatives.
Dole is seen between fellow US Reps. Charles A. Halleck and Charles B. Hoeven in 1962. After the war, Dole went into politics. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives before becoming Russell County prosecutor in 1953. In 1960, Dole was elected to the US House of Representatives.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Dole became a US senator in 1969 and held the office until 1996. Here, Dole is joined by President Gerald Ford, who was in Wichita, Kansas, to give Dole a re-election boost in 1974. Dole would later become Ford's running mate in the 1976 presidential election.
Dole became a US senator in 1969 and held the office until 1996. Here, Dole is joined by President Gerald Ford, who was in Wichita, Kansas, to give Dole a re-election boost in 1974. Dole would later become Ford's running mate in the 1976 presidential election.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Dole, right, is congratulated by US Sen. George McGovern after his wedding in 1975. Dole's wife, Elizabeth, is seen at center.
Dole, right, is congratulated by US Sen. George McGovern after his wedding in 1975. Dole's wife, Elizabeth, is seen at center.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Dole and Ford attend the Republican National Convention in 1976. They would lose the election to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
Dole and Ford attend the Republican National Convention in 1976. They would lose the election to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy a carnival ride at the Maryland State Fair in 1976.
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy a carnival ride at the Maryland State Fair in 1976.
Charles Harrity/AP
Dole and his daughter, Robin, kiss Dole's mother, Bina, on Mother's Day in 1979.
Dole and his daughter, Robin, kiss Dole's mother, Bina, on Mother's Day in 1979.
John Filo/AP
Dole takes notes as he watches President Jimmy Carter speak in 1980. Dole was making his first run for president.
Dole takes notes as he watches President Jimmy Carter speak in 1980. Dole was making his first run for president.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Dole ran for president again in 1988. Here, he holds a campaign button in front of Lynette Woodard of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Dole ran for president again in 1988. Here, he holds a campaign button in front of Lynette Woodard of the Harlem Globetrotters.
John Duricka/AP
Dole tosses a balloon for Clarence Fondren to hit back during a campaign stop at the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute in 1988.
Dole tosses a balloon for Clarence Fondren to hit back during a campaign stop at the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute in 1988.
Lisa Genesen/AP
Dole delivers a eulogy at the funeral of former President Richard Nixon in 1994.
Dole delivers a eulogy at the funeral of former President Richard Nixon in 1994.
Joe Marquette/AP
Dole appears at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 1995.
Dole appears at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 1995.
Mark Peterson/Redux
Dole, running for president once again, speaks to a crowd of firefighters and their families while on the campaign trail in 1996.
Dole, running for president once again, speaks to a crowd of firefighters and their families while on the campaign trail in 1996.
Jim Bourg/Reuters
Dole listens to a technician during a campaign stop at a pharmaceutical company in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1996.
Dole listens to a technician during a campaign stop at a pharmaceutical company in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1996.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Dole takes a look at a $100 bill a supporter wanted signed at a campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1996.
Dole takes a look at a $100 bill a supporter wanted signed at a campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1996.
Reuters
Dole speaks with US Sen. Connie Mack on the steps of an airplane following a campaign appearance in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1996.
Dole speaks with US Sen. Connie Mack on the steps of an airplane following a campaign appearance in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1996.
Reuters
Dole works the phones from his office balcony at the US Capitol in 1996.
Dole works the phones from his office balcony at the US Capitol in 1996.
Mike Theiler/Reuters
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, shop at a Florida food market in 1996.
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, shop at a Florida food market in 1996.
Doug Mills/AP
Dole talks with a prisoner at the Durango Jail's "Tent City'' during a campaign visit in Phoenix in 1996. The outdoor jail, which housed approximately 1,200 male and 200 female prisoners at the time, was the site of Dole's speech about crime issues.
Dole talks with a prisoner at the Durango Jail's "Tent City'' during a campaign visit in Phoenix in 1996. The outdoor jail, which housed approximately 1,200 male and 200 female prisoners at the time, was the site of Dole's speech about crime issues.
Reuters
Dole, his wife and his daughter pose with President Bill Clinton and his family after their first presidential debate in 1996.
Dole, his wife and his daughter pose with President Bill Clinton and his family after their first presidential debate in 1996.
Eric Draper/AP
Dole enjoys a mid-afternoon break at the Village Ice Cream Parlor in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1996.
Dole enjoys a mid-afternoon break at the Village Ice Cream Parlor in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1996.
Stephen Jaffe/Reuters
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, watch election judge Fara Popp place their ballots into the ballot box in Russell, Kansas, in 1996.
Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, watch election judge Fara Popp place their ballots into the ballot box in Russell, Kansas, in 1996.
Stephan Savoia/AP
Dole lost the 1996 election to Clinton, but Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom just a couple of months later.
Dole lost the 1996 election to Clinton, but Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom just a couple of months later.
Wally McNamee/Corbis/Getty Images
Dole shakes hands with the University of Kansas' mascot during a basketball game in 1998.
Dole shakes hands with the University of Kansas' mascot during a basketball game in 1998.
Orlin Wagner/AP
Dole sits with Robert Gates, center, and former US Sen. David Boren before Gates' confirmation hearing in 2006. Gates had been nominated for defense secretary.
Dole sits with Robert Gates, center, and former US Sen. David Boren before Gates' confirmation hearing in 2006. Gates had been nominated for defense secretary.
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
Dole is honored with a plaque at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, in 2011.
Dole is honored with a plaque at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, in 2011.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images
Dole salutes the casket of US Sen. Daniel Inouye as his body lies in state in the US Capitol rotunda in 2012. Dole and Inouye knew each other since they were recovering from their World War II battle wounds.
Dole salutes the casket of US Sen. Daniel Inouye as his body lies in state in the US Capitol rotunda in 2012. Dole and Inouye knew each other since they were recovering from their World War II battle wounds.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP
Dole attends a 2015 event in Washington, DC, that commemorated the end of World War II in Europe.
Dole attends a 2015 event in Washington, DC, that commemorated the end of World War II in Europe.
Zach Gibson/The New York Times/Redux
President Barack Obama greets Dole after a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in 2015.
President Barack Obama greets Dole after a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in 2015.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
President Donald Trump greets Dole as House Speaker Paul Ryan holds Dole's Congressional Gold Medal in 2018. Trump honored Dole, calling the longtime Kansas lawmaker "a true American hero."
President Donald Trump greets Dole as House Speaker Paul Ryan holds Dole's Congressional Gold Medal in 2018. Trump honored Dole, calling the longtime Kansas lawmaker "a true American hero."
Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Dole salutes the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the US Capitol in 2018.
Dole salutes the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the US Capitol in 2018.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP