Chuck Hagel Charles T. "Chuck" Hagel Office: Senator, Nebraska Political party: Republican Term of office: 1997 - Present Preceded by: J. James Exon Succeeded by: Incumbent Born: October 4, 1946 North Platte, Nebraska Spouse: Lilibet Hagel Charles Timothy "Chuck" Hagel (born October 4, 1946) is the senior United States Senator from Nebraska. Sen. Hagel is Episcopalian. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected in 1996 and was reelected in 2002. He is often characterized as a political maverick, similar to fellow Vietnam War veteran Republican Senator John McCain. Born in North Platte, Nebraska to German-American parents, he graduated from the Brown Institute for Radio and Television in 1966 and from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army infantry, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) from 1967-68 while serving during the Vietnam War. Hagel is a Vietnam War veteran, receiving the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
In August 2004, Hagel acknowledged that he is considering a presidential campaign in 2008. He spoke to the Iowa delegation at the 2004 Republican National Convention.
