Robert Kelleher
Robert "Bob" Kelleher (March 30, 1923 – May 29, 2011), of Butte, Montana, was an American attorney, and the 2008 Republican Party nominee for the United States Senate. A colorful figure and perennial candidate, he served in elective office during the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention. He ran for several political offices on various party tickets, including those of the Democratic Party and the Green Party.
Kelleher espoused a mix of liberal and conservative political views. He was best known for advocating that the United States adopt a Parliamentary system of government. He was a strong pro-life advocate, and also favored single-payer health care. Starting in 1964, Kelleher ran for public office 16 times, including a bid for the Presidency in 1976,[1] where he made the ballot in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Georgia.[2] He was a major party nominee, on the Democratic party ticket, for the U.S. House of Representatives in the former Montana District 2 ("Eastern District") in 1968.[1]
In June 2008, he won a surprise victory in a five-way primary election on the Republican ticket to be chosen as the nominee to face incumbent U.S. Senator Max Baucus. It was his second run against Baucus, whom he also challenged in the 2002 Senate race on the Green party ticket (2.3%). He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 1988.[1] Despite being snubbed by his party and receiving no funding,[3] he got 27% of the vote against Baucus, comparable to his predecessor, Mike Taylor, in 2002.
Kelleher died May 29, 2011, in Billings, Montana.[3]
See also
References
External links
- The Daily Show program on 2002 Senate race which includes an interview with Kelleher
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by N/A: First nominee |
Green Party nominee for United States Senator from Montana (Class 2) 2002 |
Succeeded by N/A: Robert Kelleher |
| Preceded by Mike Taylor |
Republican nominee for United States Senator from Montana (Class 2) 2008 |
Succeeded by Steve Daines |