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

Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a pioneering figure in American politics and the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without following a spouse into office, has died at 94. Her passing marks the end of a distinguished career representing Kansas for 18 years.

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She loved Kansas. She loved people from Kansas and representing Kansas for 18 years in the US Senate. She was an independent-minded Republican who was willing to stand up for what she thought was right, even if that meant going against the party.

Elected in 1978, Kassebaum Baker served three terms, forging a reputation as an independent-minded Republican. Her son, Bill Kassebaum, recalled her deep love for Kansas and its people, emphasizing her willingness to stand firm on her principles, even when it meant diverging from her party. Her moderate-to-liberal political stance, reminiscent of her father, former Kansas governor Alf Landon, allowed her to connect with voters across the political spectrum.

Kassebaum Baker was recognized for her ability to work collaboratively with colleagues of all political philosophies. A notable example is the 1996 health insurance law that bore her name alongside that of liberal Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. Even after leaving the Senate in 1997, she continued her public service.

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I’d rather cuddle up and do needlepoint all day.

As the Republican party shifted more conservative later in her life, Kassebaum Baker increasingly broke with its direction. She notably endorsed Democratic candidates for Kansas governor and U.S. Senator, including Governor Laura Kelly. In 2021, she publicly stated that Donald Trump should be impeached following the attack on the U.S. Capitol, calling the events "too far."

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This just has gone too far.