Biography:

Born in New York City, Alan Keyes grew up in a military family and spent his childhood at Army bases in Italy and the United States.

He received a bachelor's degree and PhD in government affairs from Harvard University. Keyes then spent 11 years in the diplomatic service, including postings to India and Zimbabwe.

He also served as an ambassador to the United Nations from 1983 to 1985. For four years starting in 1988, he headed a Washington-based grass-roots organization, Citizens Against Government Waste.

He also made his first Senate run in 1988, standing in for the winner of Maryland's Republican primary, who withdrew midway through the campaign. He was soundly defeated by Democratic incumbent Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

In 1992, Keyes took on Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and ended up with just 29 percent of the vote.

Undiscouraged by two Senate defeats, Keyes sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000. He became a fixture in televised debates but never won a primary.

He served as a radio host on "The Alan Keyes Show: America's Wake-Up Call" from 1994 to 1999.

Keyes had lived with his wife, Jocelyn, whom he met while he was with the diplomatic service in India, in suburban Washington. They have three children.

He had until election day to establish residency in Illinois, according to federal law.

Past Campaigns:

Alan Keyes challenged ran for the U.S. Senate in Maryland in 1988 and was soundly defeated by Democratic incumbent Sen. Paul Sarbanes, receiving just 38.2 percent of the vote. Keyes ran as a stand in for the winner of Maryland's Republican primary, who withdrew midway through the campaign.

In 1992, Keyes took on Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and ended up with just 29 percent of the vote.

Undiscouraged by two Senate defeats, Keyes sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000. He failed to win a primary in either race.

The Illinois Republican Party chose Keyes to run for the U.S. Senate in 2004 after nominee Jack Ryan withdrew amid controversy over sexual allegations in his divorce papers.

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