WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Tom Foley has died at the age of 84 in his home.

Foley's wife, Heather, says the Washington state Democrat died of complications from a stroke at his home in the nation's capital.

Foley served 30 years in the House including more than five as speaker.

The courtly politician lost his seat in the "Republican Revolution" of 1994, becoming the first speaker since the Civil War to fail to win re-election in his home district. The Democrat had never served a single day in the minority. He was defeated by Republican Spokane lawyer George Nethercutt.

Foley served as U.S. ambassador to Japan for four years during the Clinton administration.

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