Kenneth Edward Bentsen Jr.[1] (born June 3, 1959) is an American lobbyist and former politician from Texas, serving four terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.

Born in Houston, Texas to Kenneth Sr. and Mary Bentsen, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1977.

As a congressman, he was one of 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq on October 10, 2002.

In 2002, Bentsen opted to run for the U.S. Senate to replace Phil Gramm; he then lost the Democratic primary to Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk who lost the general election to Texas Attorney General John Cornyn.

[3] He was named a "Top Lobbyist" by The Hill and one of "Washington's Most Influential People" by Washingtonian.