Gary Hart

Date of Birth: November 28, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Gary Warren Hart, born Gary Warren Hartpence, is an American politician, lawyer, author, and diplomat who served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 1975 to 1987. He was born on November 28, 1936, in Ottawa, Kansas. Hart, a Democrat, is best known for his campaigns for the Democratic nomination for President in 1984 and 1988. His 1984 campaign was notable for his strong performance in the primaries, though he ultimately lost the nomination to Walter Mondale. His 1988 campaign was derailed by a scandal involving allegations of an extramarital affair. Hart holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. He earned his law degree from Yale Law School in 1964. After his Senate career, Hart became an author and a lecturer, focusing on national security and international relations. He also served as the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland under President Barack Obama.

5 Interesting Facts about Gary Hart

1. Gary Hart changed his last name from Hartpence to Hart in 1961.

2. He was a key figure in the Church Committee, which investigated abuses in the intelligence community during the 1970s.

3. Hart’s 1974 Senate campaign was notable for its emphasis on grassroots organizing and innovative use of media.

4. He served as co-chair of the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, which predicted the likelihood of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil before 9/11.

5. Despite the scandal that ended his 1988 presidential campaign, Hart remained influential in Democratic circles and continued to contribute to public policy discussions.