Former Iowa senator John Culver dies at 86

Former Sen. John Culver (D-Iowa) died Wednesday at the age of 86.

Culver died at his home in Washington, D.C., the Des Moines Register reported Thursday, citing Seth Andersen, the director of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College. Andersen told the newspaper that Culver’s wife, Mary Jane Checchi, confirmed the death.

{mosads}Culver served in the House of Representatives from 1965 through 1975, representing Iowa. He then served in the Senate from 1975 to 1981. 

Chet Culver, his son and a former governor of Iowa, told the Des Moines Register in a statement that his father was “courageous and compassionate.”

“He lived his life thankful for the opportunity to serve, and he taught me the importance of service to others,” he added.

Former President Clinton also praised Culver on Thursday, writing in a tweet that he was a “smart, principled, progressive.”

“Senator John Culver was a smart, principled, progressive, and tough public servant who represented his constituents with honor for 16 years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the people of Iowa,” Clinton said. 

Senator John Culver was a smart, principled, progressive, and tough public servant who represented his constituents with honor for 16 years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the people of Iowa.

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 27, 2018