Biography:

James Bunning was born in Southgate, Ky., and resides there. He graduated in 1949 from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received a bachelor's degree in 1953 from Xavier University.

Bunning was a professional baseball player in the major leagues from 1955 to 1971. Then he worked as an investment broker and an agent for professional athletes.

He was elected to the Fort Thomas City Council in 1977 and served until 1979, when he won a seat in the Kentucky Senate, serving until 1983.

Bunning was first elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and was re-elected five times. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998.

Bunning and his wife, Mary Catherine, have nine children, including two sets of twins. They also have 35 grandchildren.

Past Campaigns:

Jim Bunning was elected to the U.S. House in 1986 with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Terry L. Mann for the seat given up by retiring Republican Rep. M. Gene Snyder. Bunning was re-elected five times. He defeated Democrats Galen Martin in 1990 with 69 percent of the vote, Floyd Poore in 1992 with 61 percent, Sally Skaggs in 1994 with 74 percent and Denny Bowman with 68 percent.

Bunning was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998, defeating fellow congressman Scotty Baesler in a tight race. Bunning received 50 percent of the vote to the Democrat Baesler's 49 percent.

Bunning ran for governor in 1983 but lost to Democrat Martha Layne Collins.

Before his congressional career, he was elected to the Fort Thomas City Council in 1977 and the Kentucky Senate in 1979.

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