Gary Hart biography

Synopsis

Gary Hart was born on November 28, 1936, in Ottowa, Kansas. A Yale law graduate, he helped George McGovern with his presidential campaign from 1970 to 1972. Hart entered the Senate in 1974, but retired in 1986 to focus on his own presidential bid. Rumors of an affair with model Donna Rice ultimately ended his campaign. He retired from politics, but still speaks publicly on issues.

Profile

U.S. politician, lawyer, author. Born in Ottawa, Kansas, on November 28, 1936. Gary Hart studied at Yale, and established a law practice in Denver, Colorado. After managing George McGovern's presidential campaign (1970??2), he entered the United States Senate in 1974.

A "neo-liberal" seeking to combine social and environmental reform with enhanced economic efficiency, Hart contested the Democrats' presidential nomination in 1980, and almost defeated Walter Mondale. He retired from the Senate in 1986 to concentrate on a bid for the presidency, which proved unsuccessful following media allegations about his personal life, particularly about an affair with Donna Rice. Upon his retirement from office, Hart consults and speaks on a number issues including homeland security and the environment.