Barack Obama won election to the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 2004, defeating Republican Alan Keyes. He took office in January 2005.
He was the third African American popularly elected to the Senate. His work included government transparency, veterans issues, and nuclear weapons security with Republican senator Richard Lugar.
Short Tenure
Obama served less than four years before resigning in November 2008 after winning the presidency.
Did You Know
His 2006 book, The Audacity of Hope, written during his Senate years, became a bestseller and introduced his ideas to a national audience.
Learn More
For primary sources, explore the Obama White House archives maintained by the National Archives, the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, and presidential history collections at your local library. Reading accounts from supporters and critics alike gives the fullest picture of any presidency.
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