Robert Foster Bennett

Bob Bennett
Junior Senator
from Utah IncumbentAssumed office
January 5, 1993
Serving with Orrin Hatch Preceded by Jake GarnBorn September 18, 1933(1933-09-18) (age 74)
Salt Lake City, UtahPolitical party RepublicanSpouse Joyce McKay Alma mater University of UtahReligion Mormon

Robert Foster "Bob" Bennett (born September 18, 1933) is a Republican United States Senator from Utah.

1 Early life
2 Senate career
- 2.1 Committee Assignments
3 Electoral history
4 See also
5 Footnotes
6 External links

Early life

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bennett is the son of Frances Marion Grant and U.S. Senator Wallace Foster Bennett,[1] as well as the grandson of Heber J. Grant, seventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Utah public schools and received a B.S. from the University of Utah in 1957 with a degree in Political Science.

In 1962, Bennett married Joyce McKay, granddaughter of David O. McKay, ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple has six children: Julie, Robert, James, Wendy, Heather, and Heidi.

He was a chaplain in the Army National Guard from 1957 to 1969, when he entered public service as congressional liaison of the United States Department of Transportation, serving from 1969 to 1970. That year he became president of Robert Mullen Company, a Washington, D.C. public relations firm that occasionally provided cover for Central Intelligence Agency operations. Because his company employed Watergate burglar E. Howard Hunt, he was suspected of being Woodward and Bernstein's source Deep Throat.

In 1974, he became the public relations director for billionaire Howard Hughes's holding company, Summa Corporation, working there until 1978 when he became president of Osmond Communications. In 1979, he went into computers, first as chairman of American Computers Corporation, then as president of Microsonics Corporation from 1981 to 1984. In 1984, he was named CEO of Franklin Quest, the maker of organizers and appointment books.

Senate career

A Senate seat opened up in 1992, when Jake Garn, who hated Washington and made no secret of it, refused to run for a fourth term. Bennett narrowly won the Republican primary (51%) in 1992, his opponent being another millionaire with famous forebears, and then went on to defeat his Democratic opponent, Congressman Wayne Owens, in the general election. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2004. His Democratic opponent in 2004 was Paul Van Dam and Bennett won by a vote of 68%-29%. Bennett currently serves as the Deputy Republican Whip.

On June 27, 2006, Bennett was one of only three Republicans to vote against the defeated Flag Desecration Amendment. The amendment's chief sponsor was Bennett's fellow Utah Republican senator, Orrin Hatch.

Committee Assignments

Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
- Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
- Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance
Committee on Rules and Administration (Ranking Member)
Joint Committee on the Library
Joint Committee on Printing
Joint Economic Committee

Electoral history

1992 U.S. Senate Race — Republican Primary Candidate Pct Candidate Pct Robert F. Bennett 51% Joseph A. Cannon49%

Utah Senator (Class III)results: 1992–2004[2]Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 1992 Wayne Owens301,228 40% Robert F. Bennett 420,069 55% Anita R. Morrow Populist17,549 2% Maury Modine Libertarian14,341 2% Patricia Grogan Socialist Workers5,292 1% 1998Scott Leckman 163,172 33% Robert F. Bennett 316,652 64% Gary R. Van Horn Independent American 15,073 3% * 2004Paul Van Dam 258,955 28% Robert F. Bennett 626,640 69% Gary R. Van Horn Constitution17,289 2% Joe LaBonte Personal Choice 8,824 1% *