NEW : Percy once considered running for president in 1976 . He was a member of the Democratic Party, but he didn't want to be associated with them because they were too liberal and didn't support him when he ran against Gerald Ford in 1980. He was a one-time rising star in the Republican Party . He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966 and served until 1985 .
NEW : Percy once considered running for president in 1976 . Percy was suffering Alzheimer 's in recent years . He was a one-time rising star in the Republican Party . He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966 and served until 1985 .