Jack Kemp, the ex-quarterback, congressman, one-time vice-presidential nominee and self-described "bleeding-heart conservative," died Saturday.

His spokeswoman Bona Park and longtime friend and former campaign adviser Edwin Feulner confirmed that Kemp died after a lengthy illness. He was 73.

Kemp had announced in January that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He said he was getting tests but gave no other details.

Kemp, a former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, represented western New York for nine terms in Congress, leaving the House of Representatives for an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1988.

His bid was spirited but he was overwhelmed after finishing a disapointing fourth in the New Hampshire primary by eventual GOP nominee George H.W. Bush, who went on to defeat Michael Dukasis in the fall.

Eight years later, after serving a term as president George H.W. Bush's housing secretary, he made it onto the national ticket as Bob Dole's VP running-mate