Former Sen. Bob Dole has been recuperating at home in Washington, D.C., after nearly a year in Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The 87-year-old Dole told The Topeka Capital-Journal in a telephone conversation Friday that he’s also looking forward to a return visit to Kansas.

Dole entered Walter Reed 10 months ago for knee surgery, but his stay was extended because he contracted pneumonia three times. He was released from Walter Reed a week ago.

Dole said he voted this year, as usual, by long distance through his hometown of Russell in western Kansas. He said he saw the strong move in the country toward Republican candidates coming and that it will be interesting to see what happens next.

He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968.

He retired in 1996 to run for president against Democrat Bill Clinton.