Ex-Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, Ousted in Tea Party Wave, Has Died

An assistant says former Republican Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah, one of the first incumbents ousted in a national wave of tea party-led anger in 2010, has died.

Bennett assistant Tara Tanner said he died from complications of pancreatic cancer and a recent stroke. He was 82.

Bennett was first elected in 1992 and served three terms. He developed a reputation as a moderate conservative in Washington.

At home, Bennett's seat on the Senate Appropriation Committee helped earn him a reputation as a defender of congressional earmarks and the go-to to get federal funding for local projects. But Bennett lost his seat in 2010 when delegates ousted him at the Utah GOP convention.