Robert Michael Rodney

Purged Character. Page remains for reference purposes.
Robert Michael "Bob" Rodney (born August 3rd, 1961) is an American soldier, and Democratic Party politician that served as a United States Senator from Nevada from 2011 to 2017. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives from 2003 until his election to the Senate in 2011. He is the first Native American to serve in the Senate. 
== Early Life and Education ==
Born in 1961, on the Timbi-Sha Shosone Reservation in central Nevada, Rodney was largely raised in his home town. His father committed suicide in 1977, forcing Rodney to become the main provider for his family at 16. 
After high school, Rodney joined the United States Army, and was offered a spot at West Point, which he accepted, finishing training and becoming a full time officer. 
== Military Career ==
Rodney served in the Gulf War as a Captain, earning the respect of his army colleagues. He was decorated for bravery in the aftermath of the War, and retired in 2000 as a Lt. Colonel. 
== Political Career ==
Following the events of September 11th, Rodney was compelled to seek public office. Running as an outsider, he won the typically Republican 3rd congressional district in 2002. He served in that role until 2011, and was noted for being a Blue Dog Democrat, with a particular focus on the military, and foreign affairs. He was known for his bipartisanship and willingness to work with both sides of the aisle while in the Senate. 
Despite a major scandal involving an affair he had with while in Washington, Rodney was able to secure the Democratic nomination for the open Senate seat in Nevada, in 2010. He defeated his more liberal primary challenge, and won the General Election by a narrow margin, running almost entirely on his record as a soldier and moderate. Once in the Senate, he served on the Armed Services Committee, and then the Foreign Affairs Committee, and was reelected in 2016. 
During the 2016 Democratic Primaries, he endorsed Senator Gianna Carrollton of Ohio.
Rodney was defeated by his Republican challenger as part of a series of Republican victories in the 2016 general election.
== Personal Life ==
Rodney married his wife, Kelli Ward, in 1986, and fathered three children, Rebecca, Ethan and Sarah. The couple divorced in 2010 after news of Rodney's affair spread to his wife.Category:Purged Character