Bob Graham: A US Senator who opposed the Iraq invasion in 2003

Former Florida governor Bob Graham, who chaired the Intelligence Committee following the 2001 terrorist attacks and opposed the Iraq invasion, has died at the age of 87.

His daughter Gwen Graham announced the death on Tuesday in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, reports CBS News.

The family said they are profoundly saddened following the demise of a visionary leader, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, dedicated public servant, and even more importantly.

The former US Senator made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination as he emphasized his opposition to the Iraq invasion.

Graham, who served three terms in the Senate, was never able to gain enough traction with voters to catch up.

He was replaced by Republican Mel Martinez and didn’t seek reelection in 2004.

Bob Graham, who was among the earliest opponents of the Iraq war, said it averted America’s focus on the battle against terrorism centered in Afghanistan.

After the US military threw out Saddam Hussein in 2003, former US President Bush was also criticized by Bob for not having an occupation plan in Iraq.

Beginning with his election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1966, Graham’s political career spanned five decades.

Bob won a state Senate seat in 1970 and was elected governor in 1978  while re-elected in 1982.

Four years later, when he ousted incumbent Republican Paula Hawkins, he won the first of three terms in the US Senate

He later served as a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011.