Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former US senator from Kansas, dies aged 94

Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a former US senator from Kansas, has died at the age of 94. She was the first woman elected to the US Senate without a spouse having previously held office. Kassebaum Baker, daughter of Kansas governor Alf Landon, served three terms in the Senate after her election in 1978. Known for her independent-minded Republicanism and willingness to cross party lines, she chaired the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee and co-sponsored a health insurance law. After leaving the Senate in 1997, she continued public service and later endorsed Democratic candidates, breaking with the increasingly conservative Republican party.

Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a former Republican U.S. Senator from Kansas, has died at the age of 94. She passed away on Friday of natural causes. Kassebaum Baker was notable as the first woman elected to the Senate without a spouse having previously served in office. She served three terms, from 1978 to 1997, and was known for her independent, moderate Republican stance. Throughout her career, she worked across the aisle, co-sponsoring legislation like the 1996 health insurance law with Senator Ted Kennedy. After leaving the Senate, she continued in public service and was married to former Senator Howard Baker. In later years, she endorsed Democratic candidates and expressed disapproval of Donald Trump.