Biography:

Thomas A. Daschle was born in Aberdeen, S.D., and still resides there. He received a bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in 1969 and served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1972.

Daschle worked as a representative for a financial investment firm, then served as legislative aide to Democratic Sen. James Abourezk from 1973 to 1977.

He was elected to the U.S. House in 1978, where he served four terms. Daschle was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986. He was selected to be Senate minority leader in December 1994.

He became majority leader in June 2001 when Vermont Sen. James Jeffords defected from the Republican Party to be independent, giving the Democrats a one-vote majority. But after the 2002 midterm election and only 18 months in the post, Democrats lost their slim majority and Daschle again became minority leader.

Daschle's wife, Linda Hall Daschle, was deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration before becoming a lobbyist on transportation issues.

He has three children from a previous marriage.

Past Campaigns:

Tom Daschle was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, with 52 percent of the vote, ousting incumbent Republican James Abdnor. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1992, when he defeated Republican challenger Charlene Haar with nearly 65 percent of the vote.

In 1998, he defeated Republican Ron Schmidt with 62 percent of the vote.

Daschle was elected to the U.S. House in 1978, with 50 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Leo K. Thorsness. He was re-elected in 1980, with 66 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Bart Kull, a state legislator.

Daschle was re-elected to the House in 1982, with 52 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Clint Roberts, a congressman. Daschle and Roberts, both incumbents, were matched in the election because of redistricting. Daschle was also re-elected to the House in 1984.

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