Bob Graham, the former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor known for his steadfast opposition to the Iraq War, has died at the age of 87, his family confirmed on Tuesday. "We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a visionary leader, dedicated public servant, and even more importantly, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather: Bob Graham," the family said in a statement obtained by ABC News.
Graham, a Democrat, had sought to quickly make his mark on the national stage with a presidential bid in 2004, but his campaign suffered a setback due to heart surgery and he failed to catch enough traction among the voters. His daughter Gwen Graham announced his passing through a message on social media. Graham's life was marked by a deep commitment to public service, with his political career spanning over five decades. He began as a state legislator in 1966, before serving as governor and senator, where he became particularly noted for his strong environmental advocacy and work in intelligence oversight according to NBC Miami.
The former senator, who had also served as chair of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, chaired the Intelligence Committee following the 9/11 attacks. He was a prominent early critic of the Iraq War, warning that it would distract from America's focus on terrorism in Afghanistan. "The quagmire in Iraq is a distraction that the Bush administration, and the Bush administration alone, has created," Graham said in 2003, as reported by NBC Miami. He was dogged in his belief that the Bush administration had distorted intelligence data regarding Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that ultimately were never found.
Throughout his tenure, Graham was known for his "workdays" initiative, spending a day working various jobs—from constructor to teacher—to better understand the lives of his constituents. His approach to politics was practical and often hands-on, a testament to his roots on a dairy farm in the Everglades. He remained a vocal advocate for environmental causes, championing the protection of Florida's natural treasures with a slate of ambitious programs. As governor, he signed off on numerous death warrants but is also remembered for founding the Save the Manatee Club and kickstarting the Save Our Everglades program. After retiring from the senate in 2005, Graham continued to advocate for education and environmental causes through his work at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and beyond, according to ABC News.
Graham's enduring legacy will live on through his contributions to Florida's natural environment, its education system, and his influence on national security policies. The Bob Graham Center community expressed their heartfelt sorrow, stating, "The Bob Graham Center community is deeply saddened by the death of our beloved founder, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham. We honor his historic legacy and life of service," as mentioned by ABC News.
