Robert Foster Bennett

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

Early life

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bennett is the son of Frances Marion Grant and U.S. Senator Wallace Foster Bennett, 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.

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 have 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 liaision of the United States Department of Transportation, serving from 1969 to 1970. That year he became president of Robert Mullen Associates, 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
	51%		Joseph A. Cannon	49%

Utah Senator (Class III) results: 1992–2004
Year	Democrat	Votes	Pct	Republican	Votes	Pct	3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1992	Wayne Owens	301,228	40%		420,069	55%	Morrow	Populist	17,549	2%		Maury Modine	Libertarian	14,341	2%		Patricia Grogan	Socialist Workers	5,292	1%
1998		163,172	33%	Robert F. Bennett	316,652	64%	Van Horn	Independent American	15,073	3%	*
2004		258,955	28%	Robert F. Bennett	626,640	69%		Constitution	17,289	2%		Joe LaBonte	Personal Choice	8,824	1%	*

*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1998, write-ins received 12 votes. In 2004, write-ins received 18 votes.

Footnotes

External links

United States Senator Robert F Bennett, U.S. Senate site

mormoncentury.org — Why Bennett supported stem cell research
New York Times — Robert F. Bennett News collected news and commentary

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Last updated on Thursday February 28, 2008 at 23:07:02 PST (GMT -0800)
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