Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 5, 2026 —

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a prominent figure in Republican politics, has died at the age of 84. Hastert passed away at his home in Illinois. He held the position of Speaker of the House, serving as the longest-tenured Republican speaker in that role.

Hastert’s tenure as Speaker ran from 1999 to 2007. He represented Illinois’ 4th congressional district for over two decades before retiring from Congress in 2007.

In the later years of his life, Hastert faced federal charges. He was convicted of financial crimes connected to his efforts to conceal payments made to cover up past sexual misconduct against boys, for which he had been accused while working as a high school wrestling coach.

The former Speaker’s career in Washington was substantial, marked by his leadership during key legislative periods. However, his legacy was later overshadowed by the legal proceedings and his conviction stemming from the financial transactions made to mask the abuse allegations.